
%iU'6 Blue , . . 

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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



(pSBS*// 
Chap. Copyright No. 

Shelf../_^.f:3 L S^ 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND 
GRAY. 



By HAZEL HINCKLE - \^^ 



II 



The blue of Heaven is g7-eater than the clouds. 

The blue sky covers thee like God's great fity^ 

Elizabeth Barrett Broivnhtg. 



H. NISTLE & COMPANY 
Chicaqo, III., 1900. 

L. 



80488 



Litorwry of Congreaa 

Two Copies Recewf.o 
NOV 36 1900 

SECOND COPY 
Oeiivimd to 

OHD£K DIVISION 

[DECJ^jafloJ 






Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1900, by 

Clara Viola Fleharty, Chicago, III., 
In the office. of the I/ibrarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. 



6u/^. 



TO 

Zbc /iSbcmotg anD Bverslivina presence 

OF 

MY FATHER 

Whose pure manhood and hig-h ideals have ever been my 

inspiration and guide, and thoug-h entered into the 

unseen, still leads me nearer the land 

of lyove and I^ig-ht 

These poems are reverently inscribed. 

CLARA V. FLEHARTY. 



preface^ 



I know they are only weeds; j 

But whence come those small seeds, 1 

Which we are told would grow \ 

'Till birds found a lodge in the branches low? i 

And even weeds bear flowers, ; 

Sometimes as fair as garden bowers; \ 

And they cheer some humble heart, * \ 

Who cannot tell them apart 

From the rarer flowers so fine; 

'Tis thus — they spell the sign 'i 

Of the love, and beauty and cheer 

Which God means for every soul here. ] 

And those who cannot translate \ 

The meaning of beauties great, \ 

May catch a hint of grace 

In my poor flowerets face. 1 

So if but a helpful gleam from these pages flit, '. 

Brave will I be and with scorned ones sit. ; 



. . Ifntro&uction* ♦ 



-^HE reader will no doubt remember Titbottom's 
^i^ Spectacles, by means of which he could see people 
as they are in their inner selves. I would be those mag-ic 
spectacles to you and turn them to the past. 

One bright day a royally welcomed stranger came to Rev. 
J. J. Fleharty's home, and for six happy years was a merry 
flitting sunbeam, the treasure of her father's heart. Then 
a sad accident slowed the dancing feet and pained forever 
the little back. This made the bond between father and 
daughter more close and during the next six years, when the 
blithe child became an invalid, her father was her teacher, 
companion and playfellow, she his comfort and pleasure. 

To his noble, pure life she owes her high ideals and pure 
tastes. 

These years deyeloped within her the innate love of the 
good and beautiful, also an intense love for humanity, so 
her mission seemed to be "from the sad the heartache to 
woo." 

At the end of this time she was thought to be perfectly 
well and a more joyous child could not be found, for she 
then realized the long cherished desire of her heart, and 
entered the Nebraska Wesleyan University, of which her 
father was the Founder and President. 

But just as she stood "on the bridge where rivers meet 
womanhood and childhood sweet" came the dark cloud 
which so nearly stopped her very life blood. Her father was 
taken to the Homeland, and the stricken bird was left with 
her frail mother to meet life's battles. 

She learned to live again simply by throwing herself 
into mission work, and for a number of years gave herself 
unreservedly to temperance, jail and purity work. Four 
years of the time she put her best efforts into a home for 
homeless children. Then the incessant drain upon her 
intensity caused a collapse and she became a nervous 



wreck. Her life plans, her work, which was dearer than 
life to her, was taken away and deeper sorrows all came at 
one stroke. All light went out— even reason itself seemed 
saved only by "His Touch." Desolate, despairing-, among- 
strang-ers, hopelessly ill, "He went unto her, the Restorer, 
and laid her tired head on His Breast." It was then she 
found the "peace profound" of which she writes. 

Ang-el voices took the strug-g-les and triumphs of her life, 
and tuning- them to heavenly music wafted them down to 
her. She wrote them as thej came, without one thoug-ht 
of publication, and passes them on now because her heart 
yearns that all who suffer may find the rest that came to 
her "when the stars had gone out, too." 

If she knows of one ray of lig-ht they bring- some sad one 
or if another is helped to a purer plane of life, it will repay 
what it has cost her shrinking nature to give these sacred 
conquests of her life to the world. 

Mrs. M. H, Wayar. 



Immottellee 

To the one whose tender care and self-sacrificing- devotioa to me 

through sickness and health, through darkness and 

Hjrht, can never be repaid . 

Little mother, I bring- you flowers, 
On this jour natal day. 
P^lowers from my own heart garden, 
With a fragrance that fades not away. 

For the perfume they shed is love 
That lasts throughout the years. 
For the bond of mother and daughter 
Grows sw^eeter as heaven we near. 

We are nearing the Homeland each day, 
And methinks I catch the breath 
Of flowers that are borne by angel hands, 
From the land that hath no death. 

Dear little mother, I love you much, 
And daily would smooth the way 
Your deaV tired feet must tread until 
They enter God's perfect day. 

I want so much to drop a flower 
On your pathway each day. 
And though I fail to show my love 
You know it is yours alway. 

Some day e'er many years g-o by 
We'll know each other well, 
For when our Home we reach at last, 
Then all our love we'll tell. 



For the soul's expression will be found 
When we drop this mortal coil, 
And then more oft we'll speak our love, 
When released from earthly toil. 

So God's blessing- I crave for you, 
My own little motherie dear. 
May His own peace be given you 
Throughout the coming year. 



Contente 



Dedication. 

Preface. 

Introduction. 

Iiiimortelles. 

Contents. 

Life's Blue and Gray - - . . 7 

My Commission - - - - - 8 

The Answer - - - . _ 9 

My First Hymn - - - - 10 

Morning- Thoug-hts ----- li 

To A Missionary Deaconess - - - 12 

Failure ---.__ 13 

My Drooping- Flower - - - - 14 

Expectation ----- 15 

Roses - - - - - - -16 

Songs of Deliverence - - - - 17 

Mothers - - - - - - 18 

When Perplexed - - - - . - 19 

Thirst - - - - - - -19 

Light - 20 

Pass The Beat - . - - - 21 

A Vision ------ 22 

Mj' Carnations - - - - - 23 

He Careth For You - - - - 24 

Out Of Tune - - - - - - 24 

Flowers and Prayer - - - - 26 

Who Keeps The Bird? - - - - 27 

What Christ Is To Me - - - - 27 

Victory - - - - - - 28 

Cups - - - - - - 29 

Crossing Futurity's Bridg-es - - - 31 

After The Battle 32 

Doubting Nothing- - - - - .33 

Waiting- ------ 34 



Be Still And Know - - - - - 34 

rallies Of The Valley - - - . 35 

A Song- Of Peace - - - - - 36 

Crystals ------ 36 

From Temptation - - - - - 37 

The Sea Shell 38 

To The Children - - - - - 39 

Trifles - - - - - .40 

A Triumph - - - - - - 41 

Chrtst's Robe - - ... 42 

Commit - - - - - - 42 

Not Now ------ 43 

The Soul's Escape . - - - - 44 

Factory Girls' Wrongs - - - - 45 

lyove Message From Nature - - - 46 

For Me ------ 48 

A Face Illumed - - - - - 49 

Bells ...... SO 

Thought - - - - - - 51 

My Counselor ----- 52 

Today - - - - . - - 54 

Lift Up Thy Face Unto God - - - S4 

He Uttereth His Voice - - - - 55 

My Fern ----- 56 

Misunderstood - - - - - 57 

A Picture ------ 58 

In The Heart Of The Storm - - - 56 

His Hand ------ 59 

The Father's "No" - - - - 60 

Weights --.-.. 52 

My Harp - - - - - - 62 

An Angel In The House - - - 63 

Gathered - - - - - - 64 

Ivet Him Do ----- 65 

Crowded Out - - - - - 65 

A Jingle ------ 67 

Unrest - - - - - - 67 

To My Girls ----- 68 

Attainment - - - - - 69 

I Know Their Sorrow - - - - 71 

Must L<OTe's Roses Droop And Die? - - 72 

My Guide . . - . . 74 

A High Motive - - - - - 75 

Infinite Care ----- 75 

Praise - - - - - - 76 

A Ivifted Hand 77 

Ignore Neglect, Disdain Despair - - 78 

Why? 79 

His Touch .-.-.. 79 

But Do Thou For Me - - - - 81 

The Star Shower - - - - - 83 

Climbing The Peak .... 84 



His Rest - - - - - - 85 

Her Hands - - - - - - - 85 

A Blended Will - - - - - 86 

A Reverie ----- 87 

Kept ------. 88 

Heart Hung-er - - ... 89 

Mig-hty Deliverer - - - - - 90 

Infinite Nothing's - - - - 91 

Elevation - - - - - - 93 

Not Comforted ----- 93 

A Prayer - - - - - - 95 

My Fairy Bower - - - - 95 

To The Forsaken - - - - - 97 

A Trust Betrayed - - - - 98 

The Great vSilence - - - - - 98 

The Golden Now - - - - 99 

The Muse's Vv^iisper - - - - 100 

Fairies ------ loi 

His Footsteps - - - - - 102 

The Crooked Tree - - - - 103 

Gentle I^eading - _ - . . io4 

Iveaves, Blossoms, Fruit . . . io5 

Held - - - . - - - - 107 

Soul Flowers ----- 108 

My Ivove I^etter - - - - - 109 

A Pause In I^ife - - - - 110 

Strange That We Should Slig-ht The Violets - 110 

A Little Child Shall I^ead Them - - 111 

Newness Of I^ife _ - - . _ 112 

The Afterg-low ----- 113 

A Child's Kiss - - - - - 114 

In The Shadows ----- 115 

As The Dew - - - - . 116 

Restless Sea ----- 117 

A Talk With My Heart - - - - 118 

My Shepherd ----- 119 

To Girlhood Sweet - - - - - 123 

I^ove _ - - - . - 124 

When The Birdling Hath Flown - - - 124 

Defeat 125 

Content - - - - . - - 126 

As Those Who Watch For The Morning- - 126 

Peace - - - - - - - 128 

To The Blind ----- 129 

Womanhood Crowned . . . . 131 

Flashlights - - - - - 132 

Gather Out The Stones - - - - 133 

Fading. Rose Tints - - - - 134 

To Florence And Margery - - - - 135 

Treasures . . . - . 135 

My White Rose 139 

A Dream Of The Real - - - - 140 



Ideal Manhood - - - . - 140 

His Brig:htness Was As The I^ight - - 142 

Apple Blossoms - - - _ _ ^43 

Ivife's Zenith - - - . _ 5^44 

A Tribute - - - . - .* - 149 

A Flower ----._ 153 



Xife'0 Blue anJ) 6vn^. ] 

I had climbed upon the house top, '] 

One quiet summer eve, ] 

Drinking in all the glory j 

Which mind and heart could receive. j 

I watched the delicate shades of gray ^ 

Mix with the heavenly blue, J 

Until they were blended perfectly 1 

To a strange and wondrous hue. | 

And it seemed to me the symbol ^ 

Of the ''blue and gray" on earth, ; 
Who fought against each other 

In the land that gave them birth; ' 

But who now are re-united ^ 

By a common cause divine, ] 
So that soon none can discover 

Any North or Southern line. i 

The blue and gray, how they mingle ] 

In this little life of ours, | 

Fain would we only have the blue ^ 

And pause to gather flowers. ] 

Yet, how foolish such a wish, ] 

When we pause to think it o'er; 

How soon we would tire of a cloudless sky; j 

The flowers would droop 'till they were no ;. 
more. 

So, I think the Hand of Justice I 

Holds the balances perfectly true. 

For out of cloud and tempest ; 

We climb at length to the blue. • 

Out of the clouds of temptation i 

And sorrows that shadow our way, ; 

We reach at last our haven i 

Where blendeth the blue and gray. 



8 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

The blue is called ''God's truth and calm," 

So the clouds can be but a screen 
To shield the light from our mortal eyes, 

Which would blind us so with no veil between. 
So, as I gaze in the fathomless depths 

Of that wonderful, wonderful blue, 
I say, "I will conquer the storm cloud at last," 

And rest in God's beautiful blue." 



fiD? Commi00ton, 

"Write!" I heard the command, 
Though not sternly or harshly said, 
But in tones of such authority 
I could not but go where they led. 

''Write, write!" resounds all around me. 
The leaflets whisper it low 
As they drop upon the pavement, 
And scurry to and fro. 

"Write!" the north v/ind murmurs. 
As it brings the flowers' death chill. 
"Write, and thy songs I'll carry 
To those who are lonely and ill." 

"Write!" the wavelets' voices 
Say often unto me. 
"Write words of cheer to the sailors 
Who are tossed on life's stormy sea." 

"Write songs to the little children, 
Whom thou dost love so well. 
Sing them sweet little stories 
Of flowers in the sleepy dell." 

' 'Write hymns for the aged person 
Whom many are apt to slight. 
And to those who are always neglected 
Be sure to carry your light. " 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 



' 'Write to those who are prisoners 

Behind the bars of steel, 

And to those other prisoners, 

Who are "shut-in" 'till death doth heal. 

'"'Write to the young, in danger 
Of drifting the rapids within. 
Sound loudly the bells of warning, 
Perchance, you can save them from sin. 

"Write as I command thee, 
And many thy songs shall bless. 
Write, and the cup I am filling 
With joy, shall never be less." 



I listened to my commission 
As one who hears in a dream. 
It seemed I almost heard His steps, 
Of His Robe, I caught the gleam. 

Then I lay prone downward on my face. 
Like those whose eyes were bathed 
With light that shone about the Lord — 
'Till souls and bodies were laved 
In the holy and sacred atmosphere 
That veiled His Presence from them, 
Lest they could not bear the marvelous sight- 
But of His Robe, they saw the Hem. 

It was enough for the rest of life, 

That glorious vision rare! 

And to hear His softly gliding steps, 

To know He really was there! 

That He stoops to use, yes, even me. 

Fills me with awe sublime. 

Yet, dare I falter at His command.? 

For shame — 'twould be a crime. 



10 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

Father! I humbly accept 
Thy royal commission to me. 
I know I can do as Thou bids't 
If I constantly look unto Thee. 



fiD^ fti0t Ibijmn* 

Jesus! Our everlasting joy, 

With Thee is peace and light; 

More precious art Thou hour by hour, 
Even in sorrow's night. 

With Thy sweet blessings from above 

Now falling like the dew, 
How can we doubt Thy changeless love 

And not our trust renew.? 

Jesus! Thou ''Lover of my soul," 

How can I ask for more.? 
When Thou hast poured Thy treasure trove 

E'en at my humble door. 

I bring to Thee, my tired heart; 

Thou only cans't it soothe; 
Comfort and strengthen, peace impart, 

Thy sympathy Thou'lt prove. 

For patience, I would ask Thee, Lord, 

To wait this little while, 
That I may smiling take this pain 

Nor count it a grave trial. 

The cup of anguish Thou didst drink — 

Shall w-e refuse to share.? 
When Thy great heart for us did break, 

How can we doubt Thy care.? 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 11 



fiDorning H^bouabte* 

'Twas early one summer morning I 

I stole out to the glen, : 

Where all was peace and beauty, \ 

Away from the haunts of men. j 

I was seated upon the hill side, \ 

Above me towered grand old trees. \ 

Below me a tiny streamlet \ 

Wandered about at its ease. \ 

Over the glen and about me ' 

There was nothing to see but trees. j 
I heard only the birdie's twitter 

And the merry hum of bees. 

The trees stood there in silence, \ 

The wind not a leaflet stirred. j 

I thought — with awe and reverence — ' 

''They praise God without a word." j 



And then and there I yielded 

To the Presence so divine. 
And with bird, and tree, and streamlet, 

To their praise I added mine. 
I lay in silent rapture, 

As I gazed at the blue, blue sky. 
With its feathery white cloudlets 

As they silently floated by. 

While I read in sky and leaflet 

And the placid little stream, 
The golden gospel of silence 

Told too, by the little sunbeam. 
Oh, much can we learn from Nature, 

To keep us wholesome and sweet, 
If we but list to her teachings 

And quietly wait at her feet. 



12 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 



Miss B. 

And so you are going to leave us, 

Going over the sea, 
Far from home and loved ones — 

Thy face we may no more see. 

Going to tell the story 

Of Jesus and His love, 
To those who sit in darkness, 

That they may be drawn above- 
Out of their hopeless sorrow, 

And night without gleam of stars, 
Into the glad bright sunlight 

Which only their ignorance bars. 

How beautiful to lead them 

Into the sunshine free. 
Out of their gross superstition 

Until Christ's Face they see. 

Oh, you are royally honored 
A bearer of light thus to be! 

To tell them of Jesus, the Savior, 
And His sweet "Come unto me." 

'Twill be hard to leave your dear ones 
As the good ship sails away. 

But I'm sure in that moment 
The Father will be your stay. 

And when upon the ocean 
The waves about you moan. 

He'll whisper, 'Til not leave thee, 
Dear child, thou art my own. " 

"My own to bear a message 

Of sweetness and light, 
And peace that knows no measure, 

Of joy that hath no blight." 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 13 



He will fold you in His arms 

When you are sad and lone, 
Giving you sweet comfort, 

'True bread and not a stone.* 

And now I say *'God bless thee." 

I smile as I look away 
Out beyond the sunset — 

Into God's golden day. 

The day which no night darkens, 

When this little life is past, 
And you wear a crown of jewels 

And art gathered home at last. 

failure- 

From failure have I known to spring 
Some rare and beautiful things, 
Where all seemed loss and dismay 
And hope had folded her wings. 
To strive and fail is often to test 
The metal of which we are made. 
Will we rise superior to defeat, 
Or cringe and be afraid? 

If we rise and face the future 
With eyes ''looking up, not down," 
We will find we are stronger than ever. 
And care not for the world's cold frown. 

In that despairing moment 
When failure would sweep us away, 
Oft comes the courage to conquer 
And fight 'till we win in the fray. 
Failure is not a disgrace, 
But a test, often sent us to try 
To see if we will weakly yield^ 
And be cowardly enough to die. 



14 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

'Tis bitterly hard to lose hope, 
And to struggle against the tide 
Of despair, that sv/eeps us afar 
From the haven in which we confide. 

But bear like aman or a woman 
And be sure e're so very long, 
The failure which seemed a disaster 
Will have tested and proven you strong, 
And be but a stepping stone 
Toward the height you long to scale, 
For ever those who have won 
E?idured the stormiest gale. 

Failed, but arose undaunted 
By the scorn that at them was»flung. 
With, "Fll prove to you that I can;" 
'Tis the song all the conquerors sung. 



^^ Drooping flower, 

To B. B. 

So you are going, childie, 
Away on a journey afar — 
Out in the heavenly blue, 
Past the morning star. 

Going to the country, 
To such a beautiful place, 
'Twill almost blind your eyes 
With its supernal grace. 

Going where the flowers 
Ne'er fade as they do here; 
Going where the streamlets 
Are of wonderous crystal clear. 

Going where the garments 
Are white as the driven snow, 
Where there is naught to soil them, 
And no more the harsh winds blow. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 15 

Going where love awaits you 
Sweeter than any earth holds; 
Going where life is a pleasure 
And peace each hour unfolds. 



'Twill be hard, dear little girlie, j 

To leave some who are dear, \ 

And perhaps your heart doth fail you i 

While you shrink in absolute fear. \ 

But Bessie, my own little Bessie, j 

Fear not the darksome hour, ! 

For Jesus Himself will take you ! 

Like a poor little broken flower. ; 

And will tenderly carry you over 

The 'river of death' in His Arms, 

So fear not, my sweet girlie — \ 

He'll keep you from all harm. ; 

He knows you wanted to please Him \ 

While living here below, \ 

And He says that 'all the children \ 

Are to enter Heaven,' you know. \ 

So when you fear the crossing \ 

Of death's dark river cold, -' 
Remember, He will not leave you, 

But safe in His Arms He'll hold. \ 

So just reach out your hand, dear, \ 

And He quickly will it take. j 

Then before you scarcely know it, i 
In Heaven you will awake. 

Eypectatton. 

Expect Him to do great things. 

Above all thou canst ask or think; i 

Expect, when in direst of peril, J 

He will save, when it seems thou must sink. j 



16 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY . 

Expect Him to keep His promise 

To ''never forsake us," He said, : 

And though all else were to vanish ! 

He would be our comfort in stead. j 

Expect, that beautiful things i 

He will give us day by day, \ 

For His Love is not a tyrant, 

But with flowers would strew our way. 

Expect that a loving Father ^ 

Will give beautiful gifts by the score; \ 

That hour by hour He will send us \ 

New joy from His fathomless store. \ 

IRoeee 

Some one brought me a gift — \ 

Three beautiful roses they were, -\ 

With just the prettiest pink tints \ 

Like a bride's blush and sweet as her. 

And they sweetest of stories told, ^ 

Which I shall never repeat, \ 

For only the angels above \ 

For such a dear secret are meet. \ 

And as I gaze in the very heart \ 

Of one half folded up — ; 

It seems I am taking sacrament , 

From out the holy cup. • 

A delicate perfume fills the air; i 

A spirits breath it seems! 

Lifting beyond the plane of care ] 

To the beautiful land of dream. j 



The land we so oft we sigh for 
When earthly lights grow pale, 

We yearn for the flowers and music 
Of the land where there is no more 
gale. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 17 

Sweet roses! ye bring me nearer 

The beautiful unseen! 
For to me, you're a whisper of God! 

Which I catch 'twixt life's shadow and 
sheen. 



SonQ0 of Beliverancc* \ 

I met with a fiery temptation, j 

*Twas more than my strength could resist. - j 

Helpless, I quailed before it, \ 

To His word I failed to list. \ 

Prostrate I lay in the furnace j 

While the hot flames o'er me rolled, \ 

I was sure they would consume me, \ 
As fiercer they grew and bold. 

But listen! behold there walketh "i 

Right in that seething flame, \ 

A wondrous, radient Form! { 

And to my side He came. \ 

He touched me, whispering; 

' 'Daughter, fear not, for 'tis I j 

Who Cometh to thy rescue, ' 

I've heard thy every sigh." 

And then, at His most gracious word ] 

The 'sea of flame' was stayed. J 

The fire it's Master's voice had heard — j 

Heard, heeded and obeyed. ^ 

Again, I was drifting helpless. 

In a tiny craft alone. \ 

A dark cloud over took me • 

And the sea made bitter moan. \ 

And I grew more and more afraid, 
For it seemed that I must sink, 



18 LIFE'S BLUB AND GRAY 

As the waves towered to heaven, 
They would cast me o'er the brink- 

Into a watery grave, 

No doubt but I must go. 
No earthly help could save me 

E'en though they loved me so. 

Then, suddenly I noticed • 

Walking upon the wave, 
A Form all clad in whiteness, 

And me He came to save! 

And strangely still grew the tempest, 
At His command of ''Peace!" 

A perfect quietness brooded 
And the wind entirely ceased. 

And then, O how I loved Him! 

My Savior most divine! 
Who stilled the fire and the tempest, 

And now I know He is mine. 

My Savior! In temptation's hour 

Oh, Thou art ever nigh, 
And when the billows rage and roar 

Thou hearest my faintest cry. 



fiDotbere* 

There's no one like mother, 

I say there's none other. 
Not the tenderest lover 

Who cares the same way, 
Through darkness or day, 

If your feet slip or stray, 
She, faithful doth wait, 

Though yon turn to her late 
In a most woeful state, 

She believes in you still 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 19 

And to the very end will. 

She'll ne'er fail you until 
The dear soul leaves its cage, 

Worn out by old age. 



When thou cans't not understand \ 

Turn to the One at thy right hand, \ 

He will either point the path ^ 

Or will say, ''My strength thou hath, \ 
Walk this way e'en though 'tis dark, 

/ zvill all thy foot steps mark, \ 

Thou woulds't trust thy earthly lover, \ 

Now, trust Me, as thou doth the other. \ 

Cans't not see? JVhat need to see? \ 

When I said, F d ne' er leave thee. \ 

Does it matter then the way i 
So I lead thee safe to-day.'^ 

Restless, doubting heart, O trust! ] 
One leads on who's always just, 

Not the darkness can affright, j 

For He leads thee safe and right. j 



^biret 

"If any man thirst, let liira come," etc. 

Art thou one of the "any".^ 

Oh yes, for it takes in all. 
There's none left uninvited. 

To each heart there cometh the call, 
And the more thou art bowed in grief, 

Or, sin sickened thou hast become, 
Oh, then is the call most urgent, 

And sweeter the whisper *'Come!" 



20 LIFE;'S BLUE AND GRAY 

For the depth of thy need is the time 

He proves the truth of His words, 
'Tis then, He verifies each, 

When the billov^s most wildly doth surge. 
Thirst! How expressive the word. 

Of all that we suffer most here, 
For of all the struggles and pangs. 

There's none more consuming and drear. 

Thirst! Longing, desire most intense, 

A craving all unsatisfied, 
Oh, can it really then be 

That this, we will not be denied? 
Yes, e'en in the turmoil and strife 

One whispers of water so cool — 
That refreshes our famishing soul 

When so tired of earth's cisterns and pools. 

Pure, pure is the ''living water," 

Life giving is every drop; 
It strengthens the drooping soul 

And consuming pangs doth it stop. 
Oh, had we but heeded His whisper, 

And sought refreshment of Him, 
Be sure then our lives would be tranquil. 

Trouble's waves we would e'en lightly 
skim. 



Xifibt 

Light! great white light of God 
Falls on my upturned face! 
No spot that mortal ever trod 
Shed forth more light and grace. 

Light! blinding light! I scarce can see. 
Such dazzling radience shines! 
And like to the immortal three 
Mine eyes it almost blinds. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 21 

Light! beauteous light! 
No sun or moon with Thee can be com- 
pared! 
The blackest night Thou put to flight — 
And all my sorrow Thou hast shared. 

Light! holy light! 
Anointed thus our eyes beholdeth Thee. 
The scales have fallen by Thy Might, 
In every good thing, Thee we see. 

Light! perfect light! 
With Thee no dark at all, 
For standing in Thy Presence bright 
My sight is changed like Sauls. 

Light! great white Light! 
Shine on this dark enigma of my life, 
'Till I shall see which is right 
And follow it e'en through strife. 



Ipaee ITbe Beet. 

Why tell her they do not like her [ 

Even if it be so? \ 

Isn't it far, far better ;• 

From your lips not to let it go? \ 

Why pain a heart for a moment ; 

By saying such a thmg? \ 

Making it hard to feel just right i 

To those who scornful words fling. 

Wouldn't it help all around '\ 

If we passed on only the best? \ 

And left to God and silence 

All unkind comment and jest? \ 

"Dear Lord, keep the door of our lips, \ 

That from them only shall flow i 



22 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

Words that shall brighten the hours, 
Not harming one heart here belov/." 



A glimpse I've had of glory 

Sweeter than fabled story. 

'Twas a sight transforming sorrow — 

And it scattered all fear of the morrow. 

I was hushed to an infinite calm, 

O'er my future, I hadn't a qualm 

Of fear in any wise, 

As to what the mist disguised. 

'Twas a view of the hidden life 
Right in earth's din and strife. 
A view of peace and content. 
And a thrill of joy through me went 
As I drank in — 'twas for me! 
This hiding, safe hiding in Thee. 

I thank Thee for those moments rare, 
For the vision so wondrous and fair, 
Of the whiteness of life we may win 
In spite of the efforts of sin 
To soil us and make us impure, 
Or oppress, 'till we cannot endure, 
And lose the sense of the Cure 
With the fancy we are so poor — 

And afBicted, neglected, quite lost, 
So furious the tempest doth toss! 
But really hidden in Thee! 
Perched as a child on Thy knee. 
I know the jewels of earth 
Are naught, compared to the worth 
Of the gems so sparkling and bright 
Which Thou doth reveal to my sight. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 23 

The hidden life is all real, 
But it we can never reveal 
To those who will not believe, 
Or open their souls to receive 
The Holy whispered call. 
Which entreats them, one and all, 
To enter now into rest, 
Putting His Word to the test. 



flD^ (Darnation0» 

The red, so cheery and bright, 
They smilingly scatter the night, 

As they look so gayly at me, 
I cannot but happier be. 

The white ones seem like those 
Who struggled before they arose— 

To the height of beauty and grace 

Where they dwell in the light of God's 
Face. 

They stood in the cleansing flood, 

Their garments were purged from mud 

That oft soils the purest of earth. 
Making unfit for the heavenly birth. 

So, if the grime hath bespattered thee. 
Fear not the plunge into God's sea, 

The waves will not carry thee away — 
At that point He will bid them stay. 

And forth thou'lt come as white as my 
flowers. 
With a peace undisturbed, in spite of 
the showers 
Of sorrow, and trouble that o'er thee roll, 
Thou'lt stand in His Presence, every 
whit whole. 



24 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

fte Caretb for l^ou* 

Believeth when all is dark 

And thou heareth no singing lark, 
When no tiny star twinkles out, 

And thou 'rt beset with doubt, 
That one lives who careth for thee? 

Ah, that is something we oft cannot see 
When life is a wild whirl pool 

And friendship seems but a tool 
To some unworthy end. 

'Tis then we long for a friend, 
Who forgeteth himself in his care 

That we some good may share. 

But Oh, I rejoice it is true, 

One liveth zvho careth for you, 
And the more thou art filled with unrest, 

The more welcome is His loving Breast. 
The heart that's most desperately lone, 

He wooeth, and calleth ''His ozvn.'' 
There's none so heavy and sad. 

But His tender love maketh glad. 
He careth! He careth for you! 

And whatever pricketh you too, 
But most when misunderstood — 

He healeth and careth, as only He could. 



©lit Of n;une* 

Are the nerves so tired they're out of tune 
If the tiniest thing goes wrong.^ 

Poor dear! I know all about it. 
How you long for a perfect song. 

And it jars upon your very soul 
If a discord you bring about, 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 25 



'Till the torture is so excessive 
It seems you must cry out. 

What can you do to conquer 
The harsh inharmonious notes? 

How may you catch the rhythm 

Of the cadence that above you floats? 

How shall you win the perfume 

That's distilled from the 'pure in heart'? 

When life is all clamor and discord, 
And you've failed in playing your part. 

You do not mean to be hasty, 

God knows it far better than I, 
And he draws you to His Bosom 

Where hid in His Love you may lie. 

Some days everything goes wrong, 

From day break until dusk, 
And music and flowers seem to die away; 

Life's a discord, with no flower of musk. 

You tried your best to conquer 

The difficult notes one and all. 
But the harder you toiled, very often 

Alas, worse did the discords appal. 

Tired one, list to my message; 

The Master beside you stands! 
To blend into perfect music 

What falls from your skilless hands. 
'Neath His touch, sweet strains will unfold. 

Where but discordant notes where before. 
If we yield our harps up to Him 

Sweet music, through us will He pour. 
So ne'er mind, He will put you in tune. 

No matter how hopeless it seems. 
Just let Him have His own way. 

And the music will rival your dreams. 



26 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 



f lowere anb prater* 

Cans't understand the mystery of flowers 
Which brightens so our dreariest hours? 
We may tear the close shut leaves apart 
And look into their very heart, 
Still baffled are we at every turn. 
How they are made, we cannot learn; 
Their secret deep is the secret of all, 
Whether flower, or tree, or bird or child, 
We only learn that God hath smiled 
And so they have grown — 
At His touch, His breath, for they are His 

own. 
Why marvel then, at the mystery of prayer.? 
Is it any more strange, or wondrous or rare, 
That prayer should touch His Heart of Love 
Than incense from flowers should rise above, 
And dew drops fall to refresh and renew 
Their fainting strength, and brilliant hue.-* 
yi.2.y flowers cry for help, and be heeded too, 
And we not be answered and strengthened 



anew 



Do the flowers doubting cry. 

Or murmuring sigh — ''Why, Lord, O why.''" 

No, they trustfully wait 

For the shower, though 'tis late. 

But we? Our prayer must answered be, 

We never can wait at all. you see. 

What a marvel is life! there's no common 

place, 
Each atom we touch teems with infinite 

grace. 
Prayer is not a delusion, but an Anchor 

most strong, 
Through its aid we can triumph at last over 

wrong. 



LIFE\S BLUE AND GRAY 27 

Mbo Ikecpe ?rbe Bir&? 

Dost see the birds out in the snow, 

And doubt they are cared for, when fierce 

winds blow? 
And when grass and flowers are hidden from 

view, 
You know they are sleeping 'till winter is 

through, 
Who keeps the bird in the wintery blast? 
Who sheltered the flowers 'till the cold is 

past? 
Will One who guards such creatures small, 
Can it be He would heed not His children's 

call? 

Are human souls less dear to His Heart, 

That not so freely He'd do His part 

To protect and shelter and guard each one. 

As He ever has for the smallest done? 

Ah, could we know how He keeps 

With a care which never sleeps. 

We would grow more restful and strong, 

The * 'weights" would be lifted e'er long. 



Mbat Cbriet (0 to flDe* 

Light of my life, my Savior dear. 

The night withdraws when Thou art near; 

The tear dimmed eye no longer weeps, 
Thy smile will help me climb the steeps. 

I want Thy touch within my soul, 
For Thou alone can make me whole, 

I long to grow strong, pure and sweet, 
So for Thy holy service meet. 



28 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

My Comforter in sorrow's hour, 

When earthly loves have lost their power 
To ease the sad and weary heart, 

Or stay the burning tears that start. 

My Refruge in the wintry day 

When human hearts have turned away. 

And left me lone to face the storm, 

Oh, Thou hast kept me safe from Jiarm. 

My Rock! The shade in which I rest, 
When wearied with the tiresome quest 

Seeking for happiness below, 

When only Thou true joy can show. 



Victory! Is borne upon the air, 

In loud triumphant strains. 
But I'm thinking of the silent side 

Which no one sees or declaims 
The battle ground where conflicts fierce 

Are fought alone in the night. 
Where not the tenderest human heart 

Knows the struggle to win the right. 

Oh, there are victories many. 

Won by patient souls each day, 
Who oft are scorned by those 

Who would yield in the first affray. 
Ah, 'tis nobler far to win 

The conquest of one's self, than 
To receive the nation's plaudits. 

Or a word of praise from man. 

'Tis hard to go straight onward 
When no one knows or cares, 

But I tell you 'tis far more noble 
To conquer and silently bear— 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 29 

Than if all the world was singing 

Your praises far and wide. 
'Tis better to be unnoticed 

And safe in His Presence hide. 



,i 

Then took I the cup at the Lord's hand .— Jer. 35:17 -■ 

A depth of anguish or of bliss • 

Lies hidden in those words. i 

The cup may hold such bitter drops, ; 

Chilling as a funeral dirge. \ 

Such a cup was held to my lips, \ 
And I angrily thrust it aside, * 

Saying, "I cou|d not and would not drink." < 

Such wormwood and gall I defied. i 

I hated the Hand that firmly held j 

The bitter draught to my lips. ' 

I said, *'I would never, never taste, ' 

Not even the tiniest sip." ] 

But tenderly, firmly, sadly, ; 

The cup upon me was pressed, ^ 

While I cried, "Oh, how can I bear it? i 

I'm unequal to such a test." \ 

But after intense struggles, 

I yielded up my will, ; 

And took the cup He gave me, \ 

Finding sweetness in it still. J 

After a time, another cup • \ 

Was tenderly placed in my hand, | 

And Oh, hov/ gladly I took it, \ 

Yet trembling so I could hardly stand — ] 



30 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

For very joy that it was for me, 
Such a rare and blessed thing! 

I raised my eyes to the Lord and smiled 
While my lips could not but sing. 

Yet after awhile, this dear sweet gift 

I had grown to care for so, 
Suddenly was snatched from sight, 

At which I was laid low. 

I said, "No, no, it cannot be; 

I will not have it so! 
I do not want this bitter cup, 

My joy shall not from me go!" 

''Give me any other cup. 

And I'll drink it every bit. 
But this I cannot, cannot take — 

I'll die if you give me it." 

Then gently and firmly closed the Hand 

Over my own, as He said: 
''My child, it is as bitter as gall I know, 

But drink it, or you will be dead." 

At that I drank from the terrible cup, 
It held anguish which can not be told! 

But I found in it's dregs the sweetest peace 
More than my heart could hold. 

Then I saw 'twas the truest of Love, 
Which sternly made me drink 

That dreadful nauseating dose 
To save me from the brink — 

Of death in life! Yes, 'tis so. 

Oft we may die to the good, 
Though living on in the body. 

Ne'er dreaming that we could. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 31 ' 

So then our Wise Physician 

Must use a method severe j 

To waken us from danger, j 

Where we see no cause to fear. j 

So now when a cup is offered i 

By the Hand I've come to love, ^ 

I take it e'en though 'tis bitter, \ 

I trust and look above — | 

The cup that gives no pleasure 

To those Eyes so mild, \ 

And there I read, "'Tis for thy good, \ 

I give it to thee, my child." \ 

So will you not try too, ^ 

When in place of the cup you desire, ; 

A plain homely one is given, 

With drops that burn you like fire. 

Just to lookin the Face w hich bends o'er you, \ 

And see the tears in those Eyes.? i 

Oh, if you will, I assure you ' 

The cup you'll not despise. \ 



Croeoiag futurity's Brt&Qce* 

'Take no thought for the morrow," 

Why borrow sorrow? 

Today joy is teeming 

And love light is streaming; 

Why fret me, my soul, 

Or burdens high roll ? 

Not an hour can we tell 

What will bring, so 'tis well 

To grieve not at all 

'Till sorrow doth fall. 

Save thy fears and thy strength, 

And thou'It find out at length 



32 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

That One watches serene, \ 

Yet with carefuhiess keen ; 1 

So no danger can smite j 

Or evil's touch bhght { 

Perchance sorrow may come, 
And our hearts may sit dumb 

In speechless despair — j 

Yet, behold He is there ! 

And 'neath His dear touch \ 

We can't sorrow much. 
So be glad today 

In thy joy whilst thou may. ^ 

Tomorrow, though hid from thy sight, \ 

Holds nothing to fear ; 'twill be bright. 
With His gracious Presence each hour ^ 

Dispelling the gloom with some magic \ 

flower. 



Hfter tbe Battle.. \ 



After the battle is over 

And the smoke has cleared away, 
As you stand alone on the field 

On guard at break of day. 
Thinking of your companions. 

Who their lives so bravely laid down. 
So many heroic ones 

Whom the world will never crown. 

It comes to you with sadness 

And seems so very unjust, 
For they did not shrink from duty 

In the glaring heat and dust. 
Yet the world will never know 

Of many who fought to the end. 
Who deserve the richest honors 

That are showered on less true men. 

But, let me point you to One 

Who notes every sacrifice, 
And richly rewards the lowliest soul 

Who for the right lays dovvu and dies. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 33 

And while the nation is shouting 
The praise of the heroes brave, 

I seem to catch an undertone 
Of weeping beside a grave. 

Many a heart-broken mother 

And maiden are sad today, 
While cheer upon cheer is rising 

They're giving for those laid away. 
Alas ! though they cannot go 

Where their dear ones were put to rest, 
I catch the whisper: ''Dear hearts, 

At that lonely grave sits a white-robed 
Guest." 

Just as with Mary and Martha 

He wept at Lazarus' tomb. 
So He drops a tear on your dear one's 
bier, 

And mourns with you their doom. 
I have heard a sweet story of His tears, 

That wherever they fall there grows 
Beautiful flowers — forget-me-nots b!ue, 

And, perchance, a fragrant rose. 

So not in vain have your precious ones 
Gone down at their country's call, 

For they receive their just reward 

From One who notes e'en the sparrow's 
fall. 



Doubttno IRotblnfl* 

Would He tell us to go if there's some- 
thing to fear? 

Doth He ever say an untruth? 
Can we not trust in our Father dear, 

As well as another, forsooth? 
If mother says, ''There's nothing to fear," 

And smiles reassuringly. 
The little one dries the falling tear 



34 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

And goeth forth trustingly. 
And doth He not know the way 

Better than the tenderest heart? 
Then why do we fear when He doth say: 

''Doubt not, and thy God will do His 
part"? 



TRIlaittng* 

To wait is something we cannot endure, 

So very impatient are we 
That we must rush on to the very end — 

The outcome we yearn to see. 
But ''wait" means "something to wait for," 

There's a depth of comfort in that. 
It's not an empty vacuum, 

But a goal, we're to fix our eyes at. 

And to quietly hope and live on 

For the "something that waits in the 
years," 
Something that's worth all it costs. 

Though we wait 'mid pain and tears. 
Something He will send the emptiest Hfe: 

That pays for the waiting long. 
Be of good courage, despite the tears, 

Out of the discords shall yet flow a song. 

And "He shall strengthen thine heart," 

Which is now so heavy with fears ; 
"Wait" is a bit of a hopeful song 

Of the "beautiful things in the years." 
Something for every one ! 

Yes, even the most forlorn. 
Wait then, O poor, restless heart ; 

For thee dawns a yet brighter morn. 



Be SttU ant) 1know* 

We must "be still" before we can know 
The sweetest communion here below. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 35 

Then how much more should we silent be 
If closer we'd touch such a One as He ! 
In silence we rest on a dear one's arm, 
Feeling secure from every harm. 
Then shall we not silent before Him be — 
Grasping the thought, "in His care are 

we!" 
Oh, holy hush that descendeth there, 
As we silently drink in all His care. 
Brooding o'er like a mother, 
With love unlike to any other. 
"Be still," and the secret you'll learn 
Of knowing which way to turn 
When the path seems to baffle you quite, 
"Be still," and He'll show you the right. 



XiUee of Cbe IDalleij- 

Of all the fairest flowers that grow, 
None seemeth to me more sweet, 

And breatheth forth such fragrance. 
As when the lilv bells I greet. 

So tiny and very fragile. 

They seem Hke the soul of a child 
That has strayed away from heaven, 

So spotless and undefiled ! 

Their fragrance is so ethereal. 
So refined and exquisitely rare. 

That just to breathe their perfume, 
Distilled in the evening air — 

Is to me a spirit message 
Wafted from the unseen — 

A message of love and sweetness. 
Borne by angel hands, I ween. 

Direct from the One who loves me, 
And who wooes with gifts of love, 

Sending m.e silent pledges — 
Fair lily bells from above. 



36 LIFE'S BLUB AND GRAY 

Sweet flowerlets ! I drink in your beauty, 
And ye lift me from the sod. 

The earthiness seems to vanish, 
And I soar with you to God! 



a Sons of peace, 

*^In peace!" What heavenly words! 

Surely they mean not here, \ 

Where life is a surging tempest i 

And we're swept with doubt and fear. i 

Here dare we hope for peace, \ 

Much less to be bathed in it? \ 

Here in this turmoil and strife \ 

May we thus enveloped sit ? | 

Yes, so the message runneth — J 

"Wilt keep him in perfect peace," \ 

Right when the brain is fevered ■ 

And from trouble there's no release. ^ 

"In peace !" Just bathed in peace ! \ 

Covered, pervaded by it ! I 

When heart and brain are restless : 

And life is no longer love-lit. 

"In peace !" seems quite enough \ 

After the roaring and jar; \ 

But when the "perfect" is added — \ 

'Tis a light from a luminous star! ] 

That right in the midst of discords \ 

And sorrows that over us roll, j 

There is this point of stillness, \ 

Methinks 'tis "the home of the soul." ; 



Cr^etale 

I knew a strong and stalwart youth, 

Who seemed so very crude. 
None dreamed that in the depths there lay 

A jewel enshrined in the structure rude. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 37 



Years passed, and after earnest toil, 
The one who once was scorned 

Had risen to a worthy place, 
And fame his brow adorned. 

A crystal was there within the shell. 

Waiting for its release, 
And only shone when fires of pain, 

Which consumed the dross, had ceased. 

So, as I look at the plain outside 

Of many who cross my path, 
It cometh to me, "Be reverent to all, 

For each some little jewel hath." 

I know a strong and noble one, 
Whose life hath a struggle been, 

And few yet recognize the worth 
Of the diamond that glows within. 

My Crystal ! O you are fair 

As the gem whose name you bear ! 

And true as the prism to reflect 

The glory of God which stamps you "se- 
lect." 

But fierce convulsions swept 
O'er your heart before it won. 

The heat was intense before you arose 
And stood with your face toward the 
sun. 

Once there, you caught and held the light. 
So those whose eyes are clear 

Can see the beauty and the truth 
Of my own Crystal dear. 



from temptation 

I will keep thee from the hour of temptation." 

Not always, oft He would test, 

And then we should rest, secure it is best. 

And fearless be of the tempter's povvcr, 



38 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

Knowing full well that in such an hour 
A "way of escape" will surely be given, 
And, though tried we are, we'll not be 

riven ; 
But ''able to bear" the fiery stings, 
Mounting above it as on wings. 
But should heart and flesh be far too weak 
To resist the tempter when he seeks. 
From that hour we will be spared. 
O sweetest thought ! that thus He cared 
And protected us from evil's snare, 
So that harm us it could not, even a hair ! 
O mightiest Love, transcending all! 
Serenely we rest, for we cannot fall. 
When the tempter comes, He will help us 

endure 
Or deliver us from that hour, we are sure. 



^Cbe Sea Sbell 

beautiful shell from the sea shore ! 
You murmur in my hear; 

What is your sercet message? 
How I should delight to hear! 

'Tis such a gentle murmur, 

As though 'twas the sea's lullaby. 

Singing the hushing cadence. 
Yet revealing a smothered sigh. 

Now a sorrowful note it seems. 
Again comes faintly a groan. 

As though for those lost in its depths 
'Twas uttering a broken m.oan. 

Chanting a sad requiem, 

Now breaking into a wail. 
As if its very heart would break 

O'er those lost in the stormy gale. 

1 hold you close to my ear, 
And now I catch the roar 



LIFE'S BL UE AND GRAY 39 

Of grand waves towering heavenward, 
Till crashing, they rainbows pour! 

And I seem to hear imprisoned 

Voices from out the past, 
Who were tossed upon the billows. 

But their haven have entered at last, 

And now I seem to catch 

The grandeur of its song, 
For 'tis Infinity of Love 

Flowing down through ages long ! 



iro tbe Cbtl&ren 

'Given of God is written over the brow of every child, were 
we clear-eyed enough to perceive it. 

Dear little ones, how love you! 

Though I do not know you at all ; 
Simply because you are children 

And life holds for you many a fall. 

So many traps for your tiny feet, 
I would spare you if I could 

And keep you from the evil. 
Let you only see the good. 

I ache when I see a little child 

Hurt o'er a single thing. 
And long to chase the tears away, 

The smiles once more to bring. 

For "big folks" do forget so 
That once they were little, too ; 

And how a cross word hurt them 
Most cruelly through and througli. 

Dear little hearts, I am sad 
When I think of how oft you .ache, 

And no one seems to know 

That your heart seems like .'t would 
break. 



40 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

I think I am called **the children's friend," 

For I open my heart to you all, 
No matter how dark your skin may be, 

Or how overgrown and tall. 
So come to me, dear children, 

You help me by your touch; 
For Jesus said, ''the kingdom of heaven," 

Was only composed of such 
As became as meek as a little child. 

And as pure from the blight of sin. 
As you in your innocence and truth 

Are ready to enter in. 



Orifice 

So weak the fiesh, though strong the will, 
It seems we can ne'er His commands ful- 
fill. 
But oh, how hopeful for us the thought 
That marvelous works are from weak 
things wrought ! 

We have little to give from our scanty 

store, 
But even that little will grow into more 
It we cheerfully pass on what we can, 
Trusting Him to finish what we began. 

We can look up with assurance bold. 
For we are of much value to Him, we are 

told. 
If we but yield our stubborn wills. 
The emptied chalice for us He fills. 

Then we must give, though trifles they 

seem. 
Think of the might of a tiny sunbeam ! 
And just a ray may light some one's dark 
Till hope v/ill kindle from that little spark. 

Give, and our Father the rest will do; 
Will refine and glorify, through and 
through, 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 41 



The feeblest effort we make for Him, 
Though with heavy heart and aching Hmb. 

No hand is too skilless for Him to use, 
Or none so ungifted that He'll refuse. 
But will transform each service done in 

His name 
To a harvest of good. He promised the 

same. 



H Criumpb 

I faced a thing that I feared, 

But I followed the impulse divine, 
And said : *'No matter what it brings, 

I'll still 'abide in the vine.' " 
And abiding there He will keep 

Me safe from all fierce winds ; 
They cannot shake my repose 

Or frighten me with their dins. 

'1 set my face like to flint," 

And graspmg the thing so hard, 
I did it as ''unto Him," 

Then lo! my sky was starred! 
Many the twinkling lights 

That beamed from out the dark. 
And oh, what peace I knew — 

Was it angels singing? Oh, hark! 

Yes, I am sure they were chanting 

The "wonderful peace" song to me 
How, if we but yield our wills 

And trust where we cannot see, 
A peace, that knoweth no measure 

Floweth into our soul. 
A peace that is better than treasure 

Or having our wished-for goal. 



42 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 



Cbrist'e IRobe. 

And we thy seamless robe may wear ! 

Thy robe of righteousness divine, 
That radiant, spotless vesture rare. 

More costly than a golden mine. 

Thy robe is purity and peace 
. And love, from v/hich all dross is 
burned ; 
\\'ho v/ears it must from malice cease 
And from all lower thoughts have 
turned. 

To win that robe means selfhood slain. 
And many joys of sense renounced. 

Of standing in the burning flame 
Ere such a bliss can be pronounced. 

Wouldst wear it? Shrink not from the fire 
Though heated seven times it be. 

For often out of grime and mire 
A fair, pure soul thou'lt see ! 

Among the lilies must we feed. 
Where only pure thoughts dwell, 

Catching their spirit breaths must lead 
Into God's sylvan dell. 

And there we'll "walk with Him in white," 
With soiled garments laid aside, 

Refined and purified as light. 

What matter then how here we sighed? 



It is hard to ''commit" precious things 

Into a stranger's hands ; 
Or even to friends who are dear, 

Bound to us with kinship's own bands. 
So when we are told to ''commit" 

Our treasures to One we've not seen. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 



At first it seemeth so hard 

On an Arm we know not, to lean. 

But as soon as we know Him at all, 
^ A rest comes down at the thought 
That here, in this great Care, 

Is the safety we long have sought. 
Tis the only way we can rest 

Or take comfort on life's weary way, 
Is just to hand it all over. 

And with Him to let it all stay. 

Is it care for a dear one's comfort. 

Or burdens of many kinds ? 
Suspense about the future, 

And how our pathway winds ? 
The *'v/ay" we must "commit," 

And trust about the bends 
In the road as it winds out of sight, 

For with us His angel He sends. 

And ''He shall bring it to pass" — 

No other friend can do that — 
So how can we fear to ''commit" ? 

What is it we're frightened at? 
Trusting our hopes and plans. 

Our treasures of love and health, 
Into that great tender Care — 

Oh, safe v/ith Him is our wealth. 



mot iaow. 

■What I do thou knoweth not now, but thou shalt know hereafter." ^ 

"Not now," we know the why, '\ 

Though we beseeching cry, ' \ 

Why mus,t we bear such pain? \ 
Why is our toil in vain? 

"Not now," we know why loss ' 

And mounds o'ergrown with moss, l 

Are oft the things we need ■ 

To nurture heavenlv seed. ^ 



44 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 



"Not now" we know why joys 
Prove often dangerous toys, 
Tempting our hearts away 
Till night oft safer is than day. 

But "hereafter we shall know" 
Why briers hurt us so. 
Why loss and pain were best, 
And knowing will be rest. 



C:be Sours fiecape 

'■* 

"Flee as a bird to its mountain," '{ 

Escape thus, O my soul! j 

Away from worry and fret ] 
Where spirit can have full control. 

Escape ! escape ! for thy life ! 1 

Look not behind or about — i 

Fly ! fly ! to thy refuge ! , 

When beset with fear and doubt. \ 

Enter the great wide silence, \ 

So fathomless, wondrous and grand ! \ 

And sinking into its marvels, i 

Twill seem a white-robed band — -; 

Hovereth around and about thee, ■ 

Calming thine anxious heart, \ 

Whispering hope and courage : 

And revealing life's better part. 1 

Is thy heart so hot and restless. ^ 

Fearing, asking and tired, 

Ever seeking for something, ; 

Yet failing in all it desired ? 

Then escape, escape into silence. \ 

Cry out like a child that is lost, i 

And, be sure, the cry will be heeded, J 

Oh, thou who are tempest toss'd. \ 

Go 



ro away alone into silence. 
Just drop everything and rest, 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRA\ 45 

And sinking into oblivion, 

Thou'lt find thy Father's breast. 

Oh! 'tis no idle tale, 

Told to while away the time, 
For truly I've often heard 

'*Songs sweet as a vesper chime," 

That floated above and around me, 
Stilling and hushing me quite. 

As a mother does the darling 
Who is precious in her sight. 

Escape ! Oh, escape into silence ! 

For a brief time every day, 
And thou'lt find by following this method 

Illumined will become thy way. 



factori? (5irl9 Mronee* 

Oh, the poor, toiling girl in the factory, 

How seldom we think of her days ! 
So dreary and devoid of pleasure — 

From her e'en the sun hides his rays. 
To stitch away from early morn 

Till night lets her curtain fall, 
Only earning a very few cents 

Is the hardest part of all. 

Stitching away till the rosy cheeks 

Grow pale and more frail each day, 
Stitching away till strength slowly wanes, 

For them there is no other way. 
And it seems, while they are fashioning 

Garments for others' wear. 
They also are making a garment 

Of the which we have no care. 

Each day when overworkmg. 

Their garment of flesh groweth thin. 

And a heavenly robe of whiteness 
They are putting stitches in.. 



46 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 



Oh, we may think to shirk, ' j 

But His command stands fast, '\ 

And surely soon or late \ 

We must answer Him at last. i 

Is it very strange she oft goes wrong, \ 

E'en a pure and innocent girl, ;; 

Who for starvation wages J 

Oft parts with her womanly pearl? i 

Do you think we can escape ; 

When such misery goes on unchecked? 

Ah, I say, we must ponder it well— ' 

Who pays for the lives thus wrecked? \ 



Xo\?e nDeeeaee ifrom mature* 

I was in a lonely forest ' 

One beautiful summer day, ^ 

Where only the *'God of Silence" \ 

Hears what the leaflets say. ^ 

Such exquisite things as I found ^2 

Hidden away from the light, ; 

Myriads of queer little creatures, | 

But each a wondrous sight. \ 

Wondrous because so perfect, i 

And each filling its own place, ^ 

Not quarreling with its neighbor \ 

Or coveting another's grace. , 

Fining the place God intended, ^ 

Lowly and often unseen, 

But contented thus to serve Him • 

To whom none of his creatures are ; 

mean. i 

Then I followed a winding path, \ 

Which looked like an Indian's trail. ' 

It led afar into shady depths, \ 

Where I found sweet flowerlets frail. : 



LIFE'S BL UE AND GRA Y 47 

I rested awhile on a velvety bank, 
All covered with fresh, green moss, 

Listening unto the murmuring trees, 
As the wind their leaves merrily toss'd. 

Then down the rugged bluff I climbed, 

Which overlooked the lake. 
The waves were tossing up white foam 

As they plaintive music waked. 

A glimpse I had of feathery ferns 

Away down in the glen, 
Quite out of reach, as if to teach 

A lesson unto men. 

Growing in all their beauty. 

Quite hidden from mortal view, 

Content to be unnoticed, 
Save by the falling dew. 

Soon I crossed a brooklet 

And rested 'neath a tree, 
Where it seemed the ''still, small voice" 

Was whispering unto me. 

I was so very, very tired, 

And the bluff was hard to climb; 
I wanted to rest a long, long while 

And list to the wavelets' chime. 

But duty's voice was calHng, 

So onward I must go, 
And so I climbed the rugged steep 

With faltering steps and slow. 

And then, when almost falling, 

A heavy stick I grasped, 
And leaning hard upon it, 

It seemed ''His staff" I clasped. 

Thus very soon I reached the top, 

Smiiing as down I lay; 
'Twas steepest at the very last, 

And the "staff" was my sole stay. 



43 LIFE'::> BLUE AND GRAY 

So, I think, 'twill be at last. 
When this earth's life is done ; 

**His rod and staff will comfort me" 
At the setting of the sun. 



3for flDe. 

''Gave Himself for me!" \ 

For me? Such a one as He? j 

Me, the least worthy of all, i 

Who oft turned away from His call \ 

And slighted his every advance, \ 

Turning aside from His glance, ] 

Lest, perchance, I could not it bear, i 

And 'twould win me in spite of my care. j 

Forme! A rebel at heart, \ 

Refusing the better part, i 
Scorning His choice for me. 

Wanting my sweet will left free. \ 

Yes, for me, were those cruel nails ! \ 

For me, those anguished wails ! \ 

Yox me, those garden hours ! -i 
That I might gather flowers 

And some day walk the street ■ 

Of gold with gladsome feet, \ 

Which now grow weak and faint, '■ 

So weary of earthly taint. j 

For me! He suffered all, \ 

Sipped every cup of g-all, j 

That I might come to know j 
Rest in His breast from woe. 

Can I drink in all this \ 

And refuse to keep a tryst i 

With the Lover so tender and great, i 

Who left His high estate j 

To wait at my frozen heart | 

E'en when I bid Him depart? | 

'A 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 49 

No ! no ! a thousand times, no ! 
I will open my heart to His touch, 
Thrilling with joy that so much 
He has loved and loveth me still, 
And straight through eternity will. 



H ifacc 1Illume&* 

Have you ever looked upon her, 
As she goes about each day, 

Patiently doing her very best 
And carrying sunshine alway? 

She seeks the homeless and lonely. 
The sick are her special care ; ' 

And never does she stop to see 
Whether they be dark or fair. 

It only they have the tiniest need 
She quickly doth answer their call, 
And where'er there is sorrow 
Softly her tears of sympathy fall. 

What makes her a bearer of light ? 

Only just look in her face, 
As the true, pure soul shines forth 

No self can you even trace. 

For beyond self she has risen; 

It had to be crucified 
Before she shone with such radiance 

That darkness and sin she defied. 

Wouldst have a face illum.ed 
With light and joy divine? 

Then death of self must come 
Ere the glory from you will shine. 

You shrink. " 'Tis too hard," you say. 

'T could never endure such a cross !'' 
Yet One said we must follow His way, 

Gaining life where all seemed a loss. 



so LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

The cross where self is slain 
Each soul must bear at length, 

And when we fainting 'neath it slip, 
He doth ''renew our strength." 

And as we reach our Calvary, 
That fearful, crucial hour, 

O terror-stricken heart, be still ! 
The Father will be our Tov/er. 



The bells of life, how they ring 

Out warnings at every turn ! 
Oh, that v\^e heeded their message 

And did not their counsel spurn. 

The fire bell thunders forth 

In a way that startles us all. 
For fire is a beautiful monster, 

And his fury doth us enthrall. 
The church bells ring so sweetly, 

Wooing us to the house of God, 
Bidding us turn from the things 

That chain us to the sod. 

Bells ! bells I They are ringing night and 
day. 

Sounding to all an alarm ! 
And were they only heeded, 

Oft 'twould save us from harm. 

The bell of conscience rings softly. 

Still it we may always hear 
If we but stop and listen, 

For its tone is perfectly clear. 
And the bell rings ever so loudly 

When your feet turn toward a place 
That would bring sorrow of heart to 
mother. 

Or a blush of shame to her face. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 51 

O men in this great city! 

^ Heed well what the bells to you say 

They ^varn, '' 'Tis a dangerous crossing, 

For It leads far away from the day." 
And should you ever venture 

Your life in such a place, 
You cannot hope to escape a blight, 

For sin surely leaves its trace. 

Does it pay, is the question I would ask, 
^ Not to list to the warning bells ? 
From those who've sadly wrecked their 
lives 
The answer we know too well. 

You cannot enter a haunt of sin 

And keep your manhood unstained 
Or pure enough to win a wife 

With a fair, unspotted name. 
So I entreat you to Hst to the bells ; 

They will lead you to jovs divine, 
Which only are known to the "pure in 
heart," 

As they bow at love's holy shrine. 



^bouabt. 

What is this strange, intangible thing 
That flits through my mind on the wing? 

Before I can chain it 'tis gone. 

Swift as a startled fawn! 
Like the lightning dart it flies 
Before my dazzled eyes. ' 

O vv^onderful, wonderful thought! 

A ray of divinity caught 

For a brief moment on this mortal brain, 
Too finite to grasp the infinite strain 

Of music that flows around. 

Soothing us with its heavenly sound. 



52 LIbE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

We catch for a second a gleam 

Of the beautiful silvery stream 
That winds in and out like a thread, 
As it flows o'er its pebbly bed, 

Murmuring words too fine for our ears, 

About the eternal years ! 

O infinite, infinite thought! 

A. bit of eternity brought 

To lead ps away from low things 
That bindeth our heavenly wings ; 

A pure ray of God surely thou art. 

Shining straight from the Infinite Heart! 



flD^j Couneelor^ 

Jesus, how strange that we should be 
So quick to turn aside from Thee 
To lean on earthly helpers near. 
When only Thou canst give true cheer. 

Our friends are precious in our sight. 
They would us shield with their frail might. 
But strongest love is still too weak 
To save us should the tempter seek. 

We praise Thee for these friends so dear, 
For many an hour they soothe our fear; 
But if we lean upon their arm 
They cannot keep us safe from harm. 

And when the path divides in two 
We ask them, **What we better do?" 
Their answer is: "We cannot tell!" 
Which to our hearts sounds like a knell. 

Then with love's yearning growing strong, 
They think ''this way may not be wrong." 
Another whom we hold as dear 
To her ''the opposite cause is clear." 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 53 

Wearied at length, we turn to Thee, 
Knowing that Thou the end doth see ; 
And if we let Thee lead the way, 
Then never from Thee will we stray. 

Our hand is Thine ! What if the way 
Is thick with thorns, and briers fray 
Our garments ? They pierce Thee, too ; 
So every hour Thy sympathy is new. 

Those mountain steeps ! How can we 

climb ? 
Our strength has failed us every time 
We thought to scale their height; 
O Father, aid us with Thy might ! 

"That mountain is so great," we sigh ; 
We turn with a beseeching cry — 
''O let us go some other way. 
Through pastures green along the bay !" 

We hush our hearts to hear Thy voice ; 
It speaks : ''Aly child, look up ! Rejoice ! 
The mountain path but leads thee home ; 
In pastures green from Me thou'lt roam." 

Then looking steadfast in Thy Face, 
In every line Thy love we trace ; 
We blush with shame that we should be 
Afraid to chmb the path with Thee. 

And lo ! upon the mountain height 
There bends a strange, bewitching Hght ! 
Of many hues and colors rare, 
"A rainbow round the throne is there !" 

And gazing on that wondrous sight, 
We are enveloped in its light. 
Love glows ! Hope sings anew within. 
We're Hfted far above earth's din. 



54 LIFE'S BL UE AND GRA Y 

Wounded out on the field 

Where the world is shouting applause? 
Oh, that were the easier thing, 

And a glory about it there was. 
But I'm thinking of the wounded 

A.round us every day, 
And how we carelessly pass by, 

Not a comforting word do we say. 

Twouid take but a moment's time 

To give a touch of cheer 
That might soothe the aching heart, 

Perhaps throughout the year. 
And we ''pass this way but once." 

What shall the passing be ? 
It is a solemn question 

That comes to you and me. 

Today I can give light and cheer 

To all whom I may meet. 
But what of tomorrow? O say! 

Tomorrow I never may greet. 
This day I will touch some life 

That never henceforth I'll see, 
Or the occasion will unfold 

For me to a comforter be. 

^"We pass this way but once," 

Dear God ! burn it into our hearts ! 
That each hour of this solemn passing 

We'll drop flowers, not poisoned darts 
Then the passing will not be dreary, 

Which often seems so long, 
If we smile and sing for the weary, 

Our life will become a song. 

**Xift up tbi? face unto (5o&" 

Sad one in the shadows. 
List to the words above ; 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 



Lift thine eyes from the burden, 
Just look into Infinite Love. 

Hath thine heart drank ever so deeply 
From the fount of human love? 

If so, thou canst better measure 
The gifts from thy God above. 

For all human love should teach us 

The tender strength of His. 
We who know loving fathers 

Ought to grasp what a Father He is ! 
"Lift up thy face unto God." 

Oh, there's hope for all the weak, 
Who by that simple action 

Find repose when Him they seek. 



t,h 



fl3e utterctb Ibis IPoice;' 

He uttereth His voice and there come 

Cool, refreshing showers ! 
Blessing the parched ground, 

Kissing awake the flowers. 

He uttereth His voice and it pours! 

Floods almost sweep away, 
But at the point He desires 

He speaks and the iloods He bids stay 

He uttereth His voice and there falls 
The frozen and rounded hail. 

Which beats against the windows 
In a v/ay v/e sometimes grow pale. 

He speaks ! and the vapors ascend 
Clear from the ends of the earth ; 

They seem mother nature's own prayers 
To the Spirit which gave her birth. 

He speaks and the hghtnings flash 

Athwart the darksome sky! 
And the thunders roar and crash 

As if the judgment day were nigh ! 



56 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY ; 

He speaks, and the winds arise, ] 

Sweeping from shore to shore — ! 

The terrible stormy wind that brings | 

The bHghting Frost King hoar. \ 

He uttereth His voice, and behold, i 

The beautiful crystal snow . 

Covering the earth with beauty 

After the flowers had to go. ^ \ 

All these He brings out of His store- | 

house, J 

He calls them "His treasures," indeed; : 
So when they touch our lives 

Be sure that of them we have need. j 

We are glad of the cool summer rain, \ 

But oh, how we shrink and dread '\ 

The floods that almost overwhelm \ 

As they descend on our coverless head. \ 

But the bound is fixed o'er which 

They cannot pass if they would. i 

For ''they shall not overwhelm thee," \ 

Said One whose word is good. j 



So when the storms of life 

Are threatening us to destroy, 

Oh, let us fly to our Refuge 

Where He'll hide us secure in His joy 

No matter, then, how it thunders! 

E'en earthquakes cannot shake 
Us from our dear, safe Shelter, 

On the bosom of God we will wake. 



My dainty, feathery fern! 
A lesson from thee I learn. 
To wait patiently is thy duty, 
While folded is all thy beauty. 
But the time comes at last 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 57 

When thy waiting is past. 

So methinks of those stunted here — 

Some where they'll expand without fear. 

Their beauty lies hidden, perchance, 

Too deeply to see at a glance. 

Dare we judge one harshly then. 

When each soul's but a folded fern in its 

glen? 
Then let us patiently wait, 
Fulfillment will come, soon or late. 



flDi0un5er6too5» 

Misunderstood ! It is hard. 

But with every one 'tis so — 
And oft I wonder why 

It must be thus below. 
Not understood by loved ones 

I think is the hardest of all. 
For from others, we ne'er expect 

Words of courage or help to fall. 

Yet why sigh o'er thy hard fate? 

'Tis no worse for thee than the rest 
Who've lived and loved and suffered, 

Braving the wind from the west. 
The wind which so keenly cuts 

Through all thy garments thin, 
Chilling the very life blood 

Till it seems thou hast no kin. 

'Tis bitter, I know, but doth think 

That those who wound us so, 
Are never alone in their sorrow 

Or know Hke depths of woe? 
Believe me, we live all alone, 

In spite of the tenderest love. 
And 'twas meant that it should be thus 

To woo us to One above. 

Why mourn if ''they" cannot know, 
Doth thou understand their pain? 



58 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

And why should we be spared, \ 

When their Hfe is flooded with rain ? \ 

Doth thou never hurt anyone, \ 

Are thy hands so spotless and pure ? \ 

That thou canst blame another \ 

For feeling not, what thou doth endure ? i 

To all who are heart sick and lonely, \ 

I bring this rift to-day, j 

None are alone in their sorrow, ] 

There's One who is with them alway. '\ 

And "He was despised and rejected." \ 

*'His own forsook Him and fled." j 

Think then, He'll not understand thee, \ 

When o'er this His own heart hath bled? 



H picture^ 

I hold in my hand a picture 

Of a beautiful little scene, 
'Tis a lovely guardian spirit, 

And from it new hope I glean. 

Two little ones have wandered 

Too near the water's edge, 
Gathering dewy flowerets. 

Not heeding the dangerous ledge. 

Above them bends the angel. 

With hands outspread o'er each — 

While held by that powerful magic. 
They fall not into the breach. 

Just so 'tis borne to me, 

An angel guardeth us all, 
And when we stray into danger 

Saveth from many a fall. 

And, had we trusted our Savior, 
Who sendeth this ministering one, 

I haven't a doubt but we'd been kept 
From doing the wrongs we have done. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 59 

For He promised to send His angel 
To guard and strengthen us when 

We walk through a dangerous thicket, 
Or are cast in the lion's den. 

Then when music and love is glowing, 
And our pathway blooms with flowers, 

Even there He discerns the danger 
That haunts our rosiest hours. 

So I rest and rejoice in the picture, 
For my guardian will with me stay. 

So I can smilingly trust, for 

With such guidance Fm safe night and 
day. 

Iln Z\)z Ibeart of ZTbe Storm* 

Thou doth sweetly keep Thy child 

Though the wintry winds blow wild. 

Cold and bitter is the blast 

But Fm safe in Thee at last. 

Dark clouds hover overhead. 

But Thou rometh with clouds Thou said. 

So that they cannot affright. 

They but veil Thy Presence bright. 

Lo, the storm about me breaks ! 

But no more my faith it shakes. 

For I know Who rules the air. 

Back of clouds the blue is there. 

At rest am I in the heart of the storm. 

In my safe shelter, all cozy and warm. 

For my Protector and changeless Friend 

Is ever beside me, world without end. 



1bi6 •ffi)an&* 

Ps. 13:5. 

Without ^'His hand" upon me 
Not a word could I pass along; 

So to Him all praise be given, 
For my every little song. 



60 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 



^be ifatber'9 "mo." 

*'And the Lord shut him in," 

Who shut him in? 
Ah, the difference that it makes 

Tis the Master of the Inn ! 

So, when One shuts the door, 

With ''Nay, not there can you go !" 

We pause to see who it is 
That ordereth our goings so. 

'Tis a Wise One, we may be sure, 
Who sees what is just beyond, 

Bidding us halt where we are 

E'er we cross that dangerous pond. 

But it looks so quiet and calm. 

We smile that a danger should lurk ; 

Still, our Guide forbids us to go 
In tones which we dare not shirk. 

"No, my child," He firmly doth say, 

As we eagerly beg to go — 
Forth on his errands of love and light, 

And we bitterly grieve at His- answer 
no I 

Then when He shuts door after door, 
Where we longed so much to go, 

Oh, it seems a hard, hard thing, 
Almost cruel, His answer ''no." 

So many doors upon me were closed, 

Until only one was left. 
And even that at last He shut 

Till I seemed entirely bereft. 

Actually shut in just one room, 
Every cherished hope had fled, 

And it seemed that never forth I'd go, 
Till numbered with the dead. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRA\ 61 



But as weeks rolled onward into months 
And I learned Who shut me in, 

I saw 'twas to save from greater woe 
That in mercy He shut me in. 

'Twas as if He had but a Uttle nest 

Up in a great old tower, 
Which He softly lined with His own love 

To ease each weary hour. 

And hidden securely in my nest. 
From which there was no escape, 

I passive grew, and meekly prayed: 
"Lord, to Thy image do me shape." 

How many He shuts in thus 

To spare them greater pain. 
Yet, 'tis so hard to accept 

And not pine or even complain. 

We cannot know until we tread 

The very self same way ; 
And so my heart groweth tender 

As I think of the "shut ins" today. 

I would pass the flood of light 

That at length shone round my nest, 

Giving me peace 'midst the pain, 

As to me, came the most wondrous 
Guest ! 

I found 'twas the tenderest hand 
Which firmly forbade me to rise, 

For only through great pain 

Found I the pearl in the oyster's guise. 

So dear, *^'shut ins," this Christ tide 
I pray may unfold to your heart 

The peace which conquereth pain. 
And stilleth each fiery dart. 



62 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

''Lay aside every weight !" 

I was just opening my sleepy eyes 
When the message dfopped 

As from the skies. 
''Lay aside," I mused, still half asleep, 

Means "put by, away, 
Not to touch or keep." 

Does it mean the "weights" I carry to- 
day? 
I wakened then, with wonder keen, 

And through shifting lights 
I caught between — 

A vision of life with "lifted weights," 
"Laid aside, put by" — 

Ah, what an escape ! 
For at times they're almost mountain high. 

And to be free from such 
Brings Heaven nigh. 

There are some 'twould seem we must 
ever bear. 
But the words are true as they are rare. 

For He said "Every trouble, or weight, 
or care." 

fiD? Ibarp^ 

With this mysterious soul harp of so many 

strings 
I would praise the Giver, He, the King of 

Kings. 

But 'tis such a curious thing, this little 

harp of mine, 
And when I try my very best, 'tis but a 

feeble sign 
Of what I would express — as I pour out 

my heart in song. 
But through the discords He hears the 

strain. 
Knowing to praise Him I long. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 63 

Alas ! I've mastered not my harp, so my 

hands oft skilless fall, 
While wondering if I ever can, learn to play 

it well at all. 

Perfect harmony I would yield from this 
little instrument, 

But may I, when so oft the quivering- 
strings are rent 

With conflicts fierce and wild? Yet still 
I hold to this— 

He hears the air I would sing, e'en though 
the winds do hiss — 

Till they waken discords so harsh they al- 
most drown the tune, 

His ear is so fine it hears as well as 'twould 
on an evening in June. 

Ah, when the June was in my heart, rich 

melody forth I poured. 
Before the storm about me swept, or my 

life was pierced with a sword. 

Oh, then I could praise Him tunefully, 

But this comfort flows down to me, 
That He cares far more for the feeble 
strains 

We render up when no light we see. 
I am sure He catches the rhythm 

In spite of the discords and jars, 
And 'tis more precious unto Him 

When we praise in the night that holds 
no stars. 



Hn HtiQcl in tbe Mouec. 

An angel in the house she is, 
Oft long ere we're aware. 

So engrossed are we with Hfe's duties 
We hardly think of her care. 



64 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY \ 

— \ 

It may be mother or wife 1 

Whom we love with all our heart, \ 

And do not dream we are nearing ^ 

The time when we must part. • 

The patient one will go, "\ 

And then we will yearn and cry, i 

For what we might have given * 

But we thoughtlessly passed by. \ 

Have you the dear one with you? j 

I beseech you, w^hoe'er you are, J 

Today, give all your kindness, 
Tomorrow she may be afar. 

Where your loving words and repentance J 

Cannot an answer receive, " 

Oh, let us distill our sweetness - 

As the flowers, then we'll ne'er grieve. \ 



"I win gather you."— Jer. 29:14 f; 

Ah the tenderness of those words ! ■ 

How they soothe the troubled spirit ^ 

Like the care of a mother bird. 

And in watching a human mother " 

To her heart her darling clasp, \ 

We see what He meant by ^'gathering" | 

Us in His Arms at last. | 

Then, were you ever gathered 1 

In a lover's fond embrace, j 

You know the spell and the thrilling j 
No mortal words can trace. 

Think of the sweetest moment \ 

That ever your life hath known, \ 

When pure love held you spellbound .,! 

As he called you "all his own." 

■i 

And know that a dearer Lover, 

Stronger and far more wise, '\ 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 65 



Enfolds you with His great love 
And lifts you to the skies. 

Then if your heart be lonely 
For a dear one gone away. 

Oh, hsten to my story — 
Let Christ shine in today. 

For He can be far dearer 

Than any human joy, 
He'll hold you in His Arms, 

Where is peace without alloy. 
So dear one in the darkness, 

Do yield yourself to Him, 
You'll find the sweetest comfort 

And light on the dark cloud's rim, 



''OLet Ibfm Bo." 

"Let him do what seemeth him good/' 

There is utter rest in the ''let." 

No more we need to fret 

And wonder, and worry, and sigh, 

We can put the whole thing by, 

For in those hands so strong 

Not a thing can happen wrong. 

His eyes discern what is best. 

And measures out strength for the test. 

If we 'let Him," have full control, 

Forth will come a beautiful soul. 



Crowbeb ®ut* 

Crowded out, something must be 

In this whirly Hfe of ours, 
When so many duties are pressing, 

It seems there are not half enough 
hours. 



66 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

"Crowded out !" The words come 
strangely, 

With a pathos that is deep, 
For many worthy are "crowded out," 

Yet, toil on while others reap. 

Crowded out of the home nest 
Before they are ready to fly, 

Or the little wings have grown 
Strong enough to soar on high. 

Once out in the hard, hard world, 

There is but little chance 
For them not to be "crowded out," 

Unless they win fortune's glance. 

Crowded out if they're plain or homely 
Although they are grand of soul; 

Crowded out of pleasures and comforts. 
They plod on till they reach the goal. 

Whose fault is it, these lonely lives ? 

I say it is yours and mine. 
For did we all our very best. 

None would in loneliness pine. 

A touch on a stranger's lonely palm, 
A smile for the aged saint, 

A bunch of flowers sent '^in His name," 
Will help one who is ready to faint. 

Faltering beneath the heavy load 
They could endure no more ; 

Oh, whatever is "crowded out," 
Remember the hearts that are sore. 

You'll find in the most unattractive 
Something of interest to you; 

Your own clouds often will vanish. 
Or Hght up with a rosy hue. 

Remember His gracious "Inasmuch," 

Awaits you at life's close, 
If you've not "crowded out" the weak. 

But simply smiled as you gave them a 
rose. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 67 



There's no time to whine, 
Or even repine, 
We came here to shine. 
The world is just fine ! 
If you only think so — 
And smile as you go, 
Then when you're laid low 
True bravery show. 

I know it is bad, 
No wonder you're sad. 
When you've lost all you had- 
'Tis hard to look glad. 
But you'll find that it pays 
Your eyes to keep raised; 
There are still brighter days, 
In spite of the haze. 



innreet 

I struggled with my heart, 

And vainly sought for rest ; 
I prayed for special love, 

Thus hoping to be blest. 
And then the prayer was heard- 

Love came and filled my life : 
My cup it overflowed 

With many blessings rife. 

But still my restless heart 

Cried out, ''O give me more ! 
Dear human love is sweet. 

But oft it maketh sore. 
I long to climb the heights 

Of mountains fierce and bold. 
And, gazing on such sights, 

Peace will my heart enfold." 



68 LIhE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

J 

The answer came — Lwent away ~ \ 

Where nature wild and sweet 

Enchanted me for many a day, i 

Till I thought my joy complete. \ 

But soon, alas ! my asking heart I 

Found not abiding peace. \ 

I thought the ocean's solemn tone ^ 

Would bid my unrest cease. \ 

I sat me down upon the shore, ■■ 

Lost, lost in wonder deep ! 1 

Such awe and reverence o'er me rolled ^ ; 

Unrest seemed lulled to sleep. ; 

But after awhile it roused once more, ; 

And I the sad truth learned: \ 

That nothing earthly me could still i 

When heavenly help I spurned. i 

And then in wildest storm i 

Of despair and awful unrest, * 

I opened the door of my heart i 

To the lovely Heavenly Guest; . 
And around me, pervading my life, 

Rolled a deep, unutterable peace, [ 

Till I seemed lost in its depths — i 

And 'twas thus I found my release. ; 

Peace, infinite, fathomless peace! * \ 

Knowing no limit or bound — '\ 

Just sink away in its depths \ 

And you'll revel in joy most profound. '\ 
Rest, utter rest of heart, 

For the soul hath found its home 

In the measureless fount of love, ^ 

Safely anchored, no more to roam. j 



O strew your homes with pansies, 
Tis heart rest the weary ones need 

And rich will be your harvest, 
If you scatter the pansy seed. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 69 



Wouldn't it be just beautiful, 

If we each would a heartsease be ? 

Till all who are sad and lonely 

Would be glad that pansies are we. 



Let us try to be truly a pansy, 

Dear girls, what a privilege for you ! 
It seems it is your commission 

From the sad the heartache to woo. 
For you in your youth and beauty 
^ Can do whatever you choose. 
For even the shadows must vanish : 
Your spell there's none can refuse. 

So will you not be a real pansy 

And bloom for the sad ones of earth ? 
Ah, 'tis greater to be such a blessing 

Than had a queen given you birth. 
So accept your royal commission, 

And content to a pansy be; 
Being sure 'tis a very great honor 

That He conferreth on thee. 

Chosen to be a heartsease ! 
^ Isn't that beautiful? say! 
Go, then, and follow your mission, 
And blessings you'll scatter alway. 



attainment* 

Till we all come unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of 
the fullness of Christ.— Eph. 4:3 

That wondrous 'Till we all come" ! 

Not merely for only some 

Who are specially favored and dear ; 

But "we all" may cease to fear 

That if we earnestly seek, 

"We all" can climb the peak 

And dwell in the light of God's face ! 

For us all is that infinite grace, 

We who stumble and fall 



70 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY \ 

May yet reach the goal after all. : 

But how can we hope to attain \ 
When our striving all seems vain? 

And oft the harder we try, \ 
Evil seems more and more nigh. 

Only by grasping the thought 

That the process is to us naught ; ; 

No more are we to have care \ 

How is wrought the miracle rare, i 

Than lilies worry and fret \ 

For fear the dew they'll not get ; '• 

Or if the rains will them fail, j 

Or broken they'll be by the gale. J 

The process of growing He'll tend, ^i 

And each needful thing will He send ; \ 
So away with each foolish fear — 

Our growth to Him is more dear \ 

Than it possibly can be to us, • 

Who are frantic each moment to see " 
Every sign or greenness of life, 

So oft we dig with a knife, ^ 

Just to see if we're growing all right, j 

And thus how oft we blight ^ 

The bud just peeping in sight. ^ 

Oh, then to grasp the great truth -\ 

That we are done with worry, forsooth ! \ 

Then earnestly seeking His way, j 
He never will say to us, *'Nay !" 

But will lift the burden and care ■ 

Of fear as to how we fare. - 

The process of growth is not ours — i 

We're to trust to the heavenly powers, "I 

Resting serene and secure, \ 

Knowing His care will endure ; \ 

And the marvel to us unexplained ; 

Of how we've His fullness attained -'X 

Is not for us here to know, ~ 

But accepting it as so — \ 

Joyfully onward to go. j 



LIFERS BLUE AND GRAY 71 



«« 



II *B^now ITbeir Sorrow/' 

When the angels had come and taken 
The one whom I loved so well. 

And the dawning of such a sorrow 
Like a pall all about me fell. 

Many who felt so sadly 

For me in that sorrowful hour, 

Came near and tried to soothe me 
With all 'twas in their power. 

But it touched not the crying need, 
Till one who had felt the same, 

Came with gentle footsteps, 
But spoke not even my name. 

Yet, I felt in just an instant 

That she had suffered, too, 
And knew the heavy sorrow 

For the same she had gone through. 

Then as I opened my Bible 

And read the text above, 
I knew He understood it. 

And held me in tenderest love. 

For think of the dreary path 

He traveled day after day, 
And in the very hour of death. 

E'en the dearest one fled away. 

Ah, the kinship of suffering! 

'Tis a wonderful, wonderful bond, 
Which human hearts doth unite ; 

Yet His transcends and stretche: 
beyond ! 

'T know their sorrows" — really knows, 
^ What healing and comfort it brings ; 
The One who suffered alone, 
Softly touches thy bleeding heartstrings. 



72 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

> 

No other touch can we bear i 

Than from one who has suffered, too ; \ 

Rest, then, when He whispers to thee : j 

''I know thy sorrow and suffer with you." \ 

'\ 
\ 



flbU5t Xovc'0 IRoses Droop anO 2)ic7 

Oh, poor, hard-working mother, 

I pity you from my heart, 
Each day is so full of care 

And you oft are tired at the start ; 
So tired it seems you can ne'er get through 

With all that must be done — 
Washing, ironing and mending — 

All before setting of sun. 

The home must be put in order. 

And baby rocked to sleep ; ; 
The older children sent to school. 

And the chickens fed that peep. 
The daring Httle three-year-old. 

Constantly bent on fun. 
Must be looked after more than a dozen 
times. 

While you wonder "what next he has 
done"! 

Then, of course, you must be ready 

Your husband to greet with a smile, 
Though since he left in the morning 

You've traveled many a weary mile. 
Yet doing nothing that really shows 

Half how your strength was tried. 
Only the Master can know 

How unto self you have died. 

'Twas so hard not to grow impatient 

With the naughty little ones. 
Who bothered so at every turn- 



Those wayward little sons ! j 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 73 



Still, you must look as bright 
As \yhen you were just a girl, 

With time to fashion garments of grace, 
Making the most of each curl. 

And how you long when "he" comes home 

To drop your weary head 
Upon the shoulder of him you love. 

And tell of the tears all unshed. ' 
How you toiled and never complained 

Once through the hard, hard day ; 
But, alas ! I fear, in the most of homes, 

That never a word will you say. 

Because he never seems to think 

That you have much to do, 
And hardly ever stops to ask : 

"My darling, how are you?" 
Or, ''Has the day been very hard?" 

And, ''Are you tired to-night?" 
Oh, if he'd say one little word, 

Your burdens would grow light. 

Perhaps he loves you just the same. 

And never dreams he's cool. 
Or how 'twould help and strengthen both, 

If he brought for your feet a stool. 
And showed you the little courtesies 

He used to long ago, 
Before you lost your rosy cheeks. 

And your cares multiplied so. ' 

The only way in any home 

Is for each one to be kind- 
Thoughtful of the other's comfort, 

Then burdens vanish from mind! 
For each can do 'most anything 

With a word of help o/a smile, 
Or, "Dear, I see you are tired to-night J 

Come rest with me awhile." 

If anv one chances these lines to read, 
Whose hands God joined for life. 



74 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

I beg you to give each other your best — 
So doing, there ne'er will be strife ; 

But sweeter the way will each hour grow; 
Love's flowers will ne'er droop and die. 

For lovers you'll be till the end of life, 
And all clouds will soon float by. 

I do not mean the wife alone 

Should have all the love and care, 
For oftentimes, alas ! I know 

She fails to give her share ; 
But worries and frets when you come home, 

Forgetting your hard, hard day, 
And how she should brighten all the place, 

Till at home you love to stay. 

So withhold not the sympathy each one 
feels, 

But pour out your love like the tide ! 
So doing, home will seem almost heaven. 

As it did when you won your bride. 



flDi? (Bui&e 

I want to follow Thee alone — i 

No other voice but Thine; ; 

I listen for Thy pure, sweet tone — I 

It speaks : "Dear child, thou'rt mine !" \ 

My being surges with delight \ 

At those most precious words, J 

They transform e'en the darkest night, \ 

My heart sings like a bird's! \ 

None but Thyself can understand '\ 

This restless heart of mine ; ' 

Oft fainting in the desert sand, , ^ 

Thine arms about me twine. 

■\ 

My Guide in that perplexing day i 

When many voices call, \ 

And devious turns are in the way — '. 

I cannot heed them all. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 75 

Which way is best ? I cannot tell — 

O make it clear and plain ! 
Help me renounce life's shady dell 

And with Thee climB the steeps of pain. 



H Ibigb flDotlve 

This morn as I opened a book, 

My eyes were caught by this : 
''Seekest great things for thyself? 

If so, then surely thou'lt miss. 
A higher motive must prompt, 

Or else 'twere all in vain ; 
And in sad defeat thou'lt sit, 

Instead of a victory gain." 

The next was : "Seek them not ; 

For thyself desire no praise. 
Just to be used in His service 

Is the highest wish thou can'st raise. 
Not to win love for self, 

But to draw all nearer to Him, 
Is ever the noblest motive, 

And fame beside it grows dim. 



llnfinite Care* 

Nature the universe o'er 

Speaks in an audible tone 
Of the marvelous loving kindness 

That permeates every zone. 
The care o'er the least of its creatures 

Is always so tender and true. 
That when we speak of His goodness 

It seems we will never get through. 

How strange, when the earth is filled 

With an Infinite Father's care, 
That we should fearful be 



76 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY :j 

Of not getting our full share. 

Oh, slow of heart are we \ 

To grasp the truth divine ! \ 

When earth fairly teems with His goodness \ 

And He gives us his rarest of wine. i 

Wine from His own heart garden, j 

Which richest of vintage bears, -: 

The red wine of His lifeblood, '; 

Spilt for those who do not care. ^ 

Such infinite goodness must touch \ 

Even the most hardened one ] 

Each moment we're breathing His love, ',\ 

Like a web all about us 'tis spun. \ 

We cannot escape if we would — \ 

'Tis the atmosphere that we breathe — '\ 

Thus all about us is twined i 
Infinite love like a wreath. 

pratee 

Oh, how can I thank Thee, ! 

My most loving Friend, -\ 

For the many favors Thou to me didst send? | 

To-day Thou has showered me with bless- '^\ 

ings. 
And no words of mine can express 
How I feel compared to the sparrow — 

I deserve them far, far less. ; 

'Tis better to rise when you tempted are, j 

Than if you bore not a single scar. \ 

Though you shrink from the struggle -' 

whence strength is born — - 

Yet it pays, though the conflict lasts till ■ 

morn. \ 

Look up, look up, rejoice, be glad! \ 

You will win greater triumphs than ever \ 

you had. ^ 

Developed by pressure, 'tis thus fragrance ] 

flows, \ 
When is crushed the very heart of the rose. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GJ?A} 77 



a Xifte^ ibanb 

I heard a touching tale 

Of a poor Httle Arab lad, 
Who once went to a mission, 

And a glimpse of Jesus had. 

But one sad day an accident 

Mangled him hopelessly, 
And taken to the hospital 

A dying boy he lay. 

Beside him in a little bed, 

Another was dying too. 
Shrinking afraid of the coming change 

Of things so strangely new. 

Then little Bobby closer crept. 
And told him of Jesus' love; 

That he would surely come and take 
Them both to heaven above. 

But the poor little sufferer feared 
And thought it couldn't be true; 

"For how can I ever find Him? 
I'm too weak to go to Him, too \" 

But dear, brave little Bobby 
Replied, "Oh, He goes around. 

We'll just keep open our eyes. 

And we'll hear His footsteps sound." 

But the dying eyes were closing. 

And a wail from the pale Hps broke — 

"Oh, Bobby ! I can't keep them open ; ; 
I'm so weak it seems I will choke !" 

"Then only hold your hand up. 
And Jesus will see it and come." 

So once and again he tried. 
But the little hand fell numb. 

For the strength was ebbing faster ; 
But Bobby said, "Never mind ! 



78 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

I'll prop up my hand for both, 
And Jesus will surely us find." 

Alas ! when the morning dawned, 
They found the souls had fled ; 

But one thin, tiny hand 
Upheld for Jesus said 

More than a powerful sermon, 
That patient, mute little sign. 

So I pass the pathetic story — 
It needs no added line. 

And still it cometh to me. 
When too weak to even pray, 

If, like Bobby, we lift our hand, 
He will know just all we would say. 



Ignore IHeglect, Diebain Beepair" 

I chanced to read that sentence 
One day when quite forlorn. 

For in the great, great city 

No friend Fd met for many a morn. 

O the loneliness of a crowd ! 

Who hath not felt its weight? 
When not one in all that mass 

Cares in the least what is our fate. 

"Ignore neglect" — ah, that is hard ; 

Our hearts yearn so for a touch, 
Craving just a little interest — 

'Twould help us on so much. 

But then is the time we're to triumph, 
To be greater than all despair, 

Which surely is far more courageous 
When life is so lonely and bare. 

Than if 'twere full of sunshine, 
And friends were many to care 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 79 

If we were ill or lonely, 

Ah, then we could ride o'er despair. 

But that is not his testing time — 

If it were, we would ne'er grow strong, 

For 'tis in the desolate darkness 
We rise o'er despair and wrong. 

Mb?? 

Why ? Why ?— How oft we ask it ! 

I hear it every day. 
I can only say : I do not know ; 

But I'll trust Him, come what may. 
For I know that some fair morning, 

When I shall enter the blue 
Of that cloudless, tropical daylight, 

I shall see the answer true- 
To all these whys and wherefores 

That beset your life and mine ; 
I shall see them in clear-cut letters, 

And love from each will shine. 
I am sure that the hardest question 

That perplexed our spirits here, 
Will be answered in love-wreathed letters 

In a way that is perfectly clear. 

And so I am leaving the wherefores 

With the wisest One I know. 
Sure in that sunny morning 

I shall knov; it was best just so. 
For loving us thus can it be 

He would not the best thing send? 
So if it's all darkness now, 

'Twill be light at the journey's end! 



1b(0 C^oucb 

'He touched her and the fever left." 
Can that be really true? 



80 LIFE'S'^BLUE AND GRA^ 

Or is it only just a myth 
That he maketh all things new? 

Listen and I will tell you 

How it has come to me, 
When pain held me a prisoner 

So that I could hardly see. 

For hours and hours in the darkness 

Of a quiet room I lay, 
The moments seeming endless, 

As they wearily dragged away. 

While my heart cried out, *'0 Father ! 

I cannot endure this pain. 
Please, please still it, Father!" 

And my cry was not in vain. 

For presently I grew quiet — 
The throbbing pain had ceased. 

Do you say He did not touch me 
And from suffering send release? 

Again, in a mental conflict. 

My fevered brain seemed to reel. 
Nothing could soothe my sorrow, 

Or my wounded spirit heal. 
I was in a chaos of darkness — 

I could not pray or cry. 
And seemed sinking in midnight blackness, 

Feeling God had passed me by. 

I whispered, ''O God of Mercy ! 

Why hast Thou left me to die?" 
Was that whisper unheeded, think you? 

I tell you, 'twas heard on high ; 
And the answer came ever so quickly — 

I felt His cool touch on my head. 
The fever that burned so hotly 



Was quelled, as to me He thus said : \ 

*'My child, I have seen all thy struggle, 

I know all thine anguish of heart ; - \ 

How thou has longed so to reach me, 



LIFE'S^BLUE AND GRAY 81 



And from me never, never to part. 
And now through thy dreary darkness 

I bring thee a rift of good cheer, 
Only beheve and trust me, 

Knowing that I am near." 

''Right with thee in the blackness 

Of the stormiest day you're known. 
As much as in the sunshine 

When you felt you were my own." 
And then I grew all joyous — 

A great peace came to me ; 
I did believe and trust Thee, 

And now Thy face I see ! 

I see Thee in cloud and tempest. 

As well as the sunshine clear, 
I know that Thou art with me, 

For Thy voice I often hear. 
Hear it in whispering leaflets. 

And waves that murmur low. 
And in the birds' sweet voices 

And see Thee in sunset's glow. 

For Nature's myriad voices 

Are but Thy low, sweet tone, 
Wooing us to that silence 

Where with Thee we can be alone. 
Resting then in the silence 

Our souls will hear Thee speak 
Words that grow sweeter and sweeter 

Each time Thee only we seek. 



**But 2)0 ZTbou for fiDe'' 

There's hope, where we simply turn 
With, *'Do Thou for me, I pray; 

I can no longer grope 
Nor can I find the way. 

But Thou the way doth know. 



82 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

So why should I longer fret? 
Do Thou lead me through 

When my feet seem caught in a net." 

"And the many things so hard 
From which I shrink with a start, 

O, Thou wilt carry me through, 
Calming my restless heart." 

I cannot do, but Thou canst, 

And thus I am filled with content, 
For when I let Thee manage. 

My mind's no longer rent 
With plans, and hopes, and failures, 

But I can joyfully go 
On where Thou appointeth. 

Feeling 'tis best just so. 

It Hfteth the strain and burden 

That tireth both heart and brain, 
And, oh, the peace o'erfioweth 

When we cease our struggling vain. 
And trusting all to our Savior, 

Believe and expect He will do 
Not some of the things He promised, 

But know He will bring them all true. 

Behold, I am for you and will turn unto 
you. — Eze. 36: 9. 
When crying, "Do Thou for me !" 

Doth He make us wait? 
Ah, so quickly it cometh, 

The answer ne'er is late, 
"Behold, I am for you !" 
He hasteneth to say. 
Oh, aching heart, do take 

Your answer right away. 

Then know it is sealed; 

The com.pact is bound. 
You trust Him to do. 

So rest you have found. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 83 



For He answered your cry 
And said He would be 

"For you and with you, 
Making you free." 



lEbe Star Sbower* 

In musing of the star shower 

On that wonderful night long ago, 

When gazing at the picture 
My heart grew all aglow. 

And I longed to have seen the marvel 
Of that fiery and grand display, 

And gazed with the awestruck crowd 
Who thought 'twas the judgment day. 

And looking still at the picture 

With eyes filled with wonder deep, 

It opened a vista of thought 
And gave me a wider sweep. 

I saw not merely the stars 

That fell on that wonderful night. 

But, as 'twere, a finer something — 
A strange ethereal light, 

Something within me answered 
That the shower but a symbol was 

Of the spiritual light about us, 
And was sent that we might pause. 

And give heed to the beauteous message 
Sent down from the "'Father of Light," 

Showing each one of Nature's laws 
''Held a meaning deep, writ on the 
night." 

Just so in our prosy every day 

Had we but eyes to behold, 
Would come the showers of Hving light 

Did our higher self we unfold. 



84 LIhE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

We exclaim o'er and admire the beauty 
Of some strange and wondrous thing, 

Ne'er dreaming at our side 

Each hour a great marvel brings. 

Oh, to have vision cleared 

To discern the showers of light ! 

Which are ever descending upon us 
Writing letters of gold on our night. 



We rise through pain and tears, \ 

Girt round with anxious fears, \ 

Had we everything we wish \^ 

And flowers gracing each dish J 

What power would develop so, \ 

How could we stronger grow? ? 

With nothing to o'ercome > 

Idly we'd sit, grown dumb \ 

And deaf to all endeavor — ^^ 

We'd climb the heights, no never! *; 

-.i 

We try and try again '\ 

And win no praise from men, j 

Shall we then sit and mope ^ 
Furling our every hope? 
Not so, we'll up and on 

The mount doth hide the dawn. ' 

Sometime 'twill burst on our sight, i 

Scattering forever our night. ^ 

We're almost too sad to try, ; 
For failure seems more and more nigh, 

But hope against despair, '\ 

Perchance the tide turns there, ' 

And that moment if we held fast .. 

Might bring us triumph at last. : 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 85 



1bi0 TReet 

Rest! Rest! Do you remember 

How mother rocked you to sleep? 
When you were a merry Httle child, 

Whose tiny feet would skip and leap 
Until they were so tired, so tired ! 

And then on her dear arm 
You smiled and sank to rest. 

Oh, it was sweet protected thus from 
harm. 

But alas ! came the time when mother 
Suddenly slipped from your sight, 

So also your brave true lover 

Was taken, and left you in night. 

In night ! O blackness of darkness ! 

No sign or glimmer of stars. 
You were walled in a prison of anguish, 

Shut in with impassable bars ; 
Imprisoned with pain that was awful. 

You could not sleep or rest. 
But He went unto you, the Restorer, 

And laid your tired head on His Breast. 

I know it is true that His rest 
Is sweeter than any earth holds. 

For when human loves slip away 
His arms the more closely enfold. 

Ifoer Ibands. 

A pitiful story so stirs me 

That I would pass it to you, 
'Twas of a motherless girl 

Who to her duty was true. 

There were four little children 
To care for and mother each day, 

And so this slender child 

For them her life wore away. 



86 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY \ 

She mended and toiled day and night 

To keep them all in school i 
And never thought of herself 

That she was a precious jewel. -\ 

Yet day by day she faded, i 

Till they could no longer keep 
The angels from coming in, 

And hovering near her sleep. 

When they told her she was going to Jesus 

She said: ''O, what shall I say? \ 

I never did anything for Him, 1 

For there never seemed any way." '• 

"The children were all I could see to, J 

Each moment was full to the brim, .• 

Oh, what shall I say, then, to Jesus? J 
I never did aught for Him !" 

Then tenderly one bent o'er her \ 

And softly stroked her hair. \ 

"Dear, just show Him your hands, i 

How they've scrubbed and toiled to \ 

bear i 

Burdens too hard for their strength. 

Oh, show Him the marks of care, < 

And, dear little one. He'll give you I 

A crown of jewels most rare." \ 



a Blent»e& Mill 



Art seeking large things for self, ■ 

Or only for Him alone? \ 

As long as self comes first \ 

Life will be one sad moan, J 

For self brings stinging pains, \ 

From which there is no escape, ~^- , | 

And when it is served first i 

Woes will our spirits drape. j 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 87 



But when once 'tis crucified 

Utter rest our soul doth know, 
Then all is joy and peace, 

No matter where we go. 
Or if the day be very dark. 

Or if filled with gladsome light, 
Or if we are neglected 

And stand alone on our height. 

If no one cares for our sorrow, 

If none give words of praise 
There is no self to ache 

Or a murmur even to raise. 
All comes from a blended will 

With which there's naught can compare, 
Why shrink from the fiery trial. 

When it brings such comfort rare? 

And forth we will come anointed 
With a grace not won before. 

Oh, to lose our will in Thine 
Is to lose the anguish we bore. 



H TReverte. 

I hear the sound of chimes 
As in the sweet old times 
When I was but a little girl, 
And life but a merry whirl. 
I would skip, and run, and dance, 
For life did so entrance. 
Then in the grass I'd lie 
Watching the clouds float by. 
Sometimes they were fairies' wings 
That brought me beautiful things ; 
Again they were wonderful ships 
Peeping out from heavenly places. 
And often one was God's own 
Smiling at me from His Throne. 



LIFE'S BLUE ^ANDl GRA Y 



And I caught the sound of chimes 

That were borne from fairer cUmes, 

Such songs as ne'er were sung 

By us in this mortal tongue. 

And they stirred my very soul 

With a rapture I could not control. 

The leaves above quivered with glee, 

For very joy I could see. 

And I sailed away in the intense blue 

Into strange climes and regions new, 

Where wonderful silvery streams 

Wandered o'er golden sunbeams, 

And music enthralled every sense, 

Till one questioned, '^How came it, and 

whence?" 
Methinks those far away chimes 
Were angels singing me rhymes. 
As the cloud ships bore me away 
To the heaven that about me lay. 



ikept 

Do you really and truly think 
That He will keep us to-day. 

So not the least hasty word 
Shall slip from our lips away? 

Do we truly beheve He will keep 
Us safe in temptation's hour. 

And when the enemy seeks 
He really will be our tower? 

No, we think only 'Terhaps 

I'll live this day aright," 
Instead, 'T know He will keep 

My thoughts and garments white." 

"May be," or "I hope I may 
Face the thing which I fear; 

But it frightens me nearly to death 
When I think its coming near." 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 89 

**ril try my best to go through 
The task which seems so hard, 

But, oh, it looks so hopeless, 

When my way is hedged and barred." 

"I hope I'll have the strength 

To endure to the very end. 
But if I 'fail in the test 

I'll know He didn't defend." 

"I'll try to trust my Savior 

When the billows are tossing high, 

But if I sink like Peter, 

Will He surely hear my cry?" 

What wonder we are not kept, 

With, 'T'll try," and ^'if" or "perhaps." 

Of course we'll surely stumble 
And mourn o'er many a lapse. 

Now, let us change the tune, 

And really expect He will do 
What He said so oft He would, 

If we'll but believe it is true. 

To-day I expect He will keep 

Me, clothed in His garments white. 

And doing that I may rest, 
For all v/ill be just right. 

If He keeps us one little day 

Will He drop us again to-morrow? 

To-morrow expect Him to keep 
Then o'er failure we cannot sorrow. 



Ibeart •fcuneer* 

"No more" this yearning cry 

Forever unsatisfied, 
"No more" to be "consumed" 

By pangs that are denied? 
"No more!" those are the words 



90 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 



He speaks to hungry hearts, 
Forever, then. He will fill them, 
E'en the most empty parts. 

The vacant place in our lives 

Where love did once us sway. 
But hath left such an aching void 

Since death snatched it away. 
Or, perchance the barren place 

That ne'er love's rapture knew. 
And is literally starving to death 

Awaiting the answer true. 

For such is that actually true 

Who are nearly consumed with grief, 
Because of the craving soul 

And for which there's no relief? 
Such is the promise He left — 

"No more shall hunger consume." 
So it must be for mind and heart 

He giveth this blessed boom. 

But no bhssful stilling will come 

Unless we believe it is true. 
For just as with other dear gifts 

Acceptance is all left to you. 
A life full of sweetness and calm 

Is thus opened up unto you. 
Oh, do enter into its bliss — 

The blessed, "No more," is all true. 

fiDiQbti? H)eliverer» 

Borne down through the listening silence 

I seem to hear a voice 
Which sweeter is than music, 

And it says: ''Rejoice, rejoice!" 

"For e'en in the fiery furnace, 
Where Satan threw you bound, 

I have even saved and rescued 
Till no hurt was on you found." 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 91 

"Not a single hair was harmed, 

Though in the midst you lay 
Of that seething roaring flame, 

Consuming all in its way." 

"Not even the smell of fire 

Scented the garments you wore. 

Oh, when saved from a fiery furnace, 
Can you not trust me more?" 

My Mighty and Strong Deliverer ! 

I blush for very shame. 
That I should one moment doubt Thee 

When into the fire Thou came — 

And bore me forth into safety. 

My Mighty Deliverer and Friend! 
Oh, thanks unto Thee now and ever. 

Thy love is mine clear to the end. 



Infinite IRotbinfle* 

I cannot sing like a lark. 

But shall I mope from morn till dark 

And not send forth a note 

Because there's none to dote 

Upon my ''heavenly voice" 

And call it "very choice?" 

Shall I fail to sing my part 

Because I have no art 

And cannot charm the throng 

Rendering an exquisite song? 

I cannot follow my dreams, 
Or do great things, it seems. 
I cannot paint or play. 
My voice hath flown away. 
Shall I do nothing then. 
Because I am only a wren. 

Ah, what can wrens do? 
'Twill be surprising to yon 



92 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

^ \ i 

And may help some other wren \ 

Who is sighing in its little den j 

For work that is brilliant and great, '\ 

And for it doth sullenly wait. i 

Not heeding 'tis better to work j 

In hidden places than shirk. [ 

And such is pleasing to Him ^ 

Whose eyes are never dim, ;• 

And who careth far more, I believe, : 

When no human praise we receive. 1 

I can make my little nook 

Brighter here by every look. ^ 

I can smile when hearts are sore, \ 

And perchance I can ope' hope's door. • ; 

I can patient be, and sing \ 

W^hen I feel pain's bitter sting. i 

I can love and trustful be \ 

When they understand not me. \ 

I can write a word of cheer 1 

To those sadly bowed with fear. '\ 

I can send to heaven a prayer ] 

That may save them from despair. ''\ 

1 can comfort a sad child \ 

Until once again it smiled. \ 

I can pass a Bible text \ 

To one worn, and sore perplex't \ 

Do these littles count for naught ? \ 

Dear are they to Him, we're taught. 1 

Ah, scant service so it seems, •; 

And far less than all my dreams. i 

But each one with motive high i 

Will yield a harvest by and by, ; 

I am only a brown wren, \ 

But within my little den ■ 

I will do the best I can ; 
"To serve my God by helping man." 

So these nothings which you see ; 

Teem with real Infinity! 'S 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRA\ 93 



jeievation* 

Can we love in the tenderest, closest way 
The one who's content forever to stay 
In the narrow bounds of his little life, 
And never aspire, though it be through 
strife? 

The soul in us calls for higher things, 
And will not have bound its heavenly 

wings, 
It calls to the one who is dearest of all 
Saying, '*Up ! we will mount, or together 

fall." 

If you would enchant and hold me secure 
With bonds that through all time shall en- 
dure, 
You must care at least to mount the steep. 
Nor be a soul which will cringe and creep. 

For no one rises to any great height 
But must meet and master what would 

blight. 
If I am worthy I will hold you fast 
And no other spell I need to cast. 

Just to be true, and to live high, 
To every good will bring us nigh; 
Hands thus joined are forever wed, 
Though one cross the river and we call 
him "dead." 



mot Comforte& 

Isa. 54:11. 

Through blinding darkness I heard 
A voice thus whispering to me: 

"Oh, thou art sorely afiflicted 

And tossed with the tempest art ye." 



94 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

"Not comforted" any at all, 
For love and life seem dead, 

But to thee I bring a hope. 
List to the words I have said." 

"For thee I will even do it. 

In spite of how hopeless it seems. 
It is not for those who are 'happy' 

I send these helpful gleams, 
But for thee, and all who are 'not 

Comforted' in any way, 
Whose pathway shrouded in night is, 

'Tis for such, this promise I say." 

" *I will lay thy stones with fair colors' 

That shall glow with beauteous light, 
And 'thy foundation stones with sapphires,' 

Which will change into blue, thy night. 
For whom do I promise this? 

For those who are joyous, at ease? 
No, no ! 'Tis for the most weary 

When the hfeblood itself seems to 
freeze." 

You ask what the precious stones are 

Which He is going to give? 
I'll tell you, for I've learned : 

'Tis strength and courage to live — 
'Tis hope, and peace, and love. 

Where all seemed a barren waste. 
'Tis joy, and a restful calm. 

These are his jewels chaste 

Which He promised that terrible night 

When the stars had gone out too. 
And my sky was of inky blackness 

Till it seemed no light could shine 
through. 
But after two long, long years 

I have found His promise held true, 
For out of the sorrowful night 

Has come rest in His beautiful blue. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 95 



Breathe, Holy One, Thy breath 

Upon this soul of mine ! 
Then unto Thee my Hfe will yield 

The rarest of its wine. 

Breathe o'er my heart. Spirit divine ! 

And all the dross therein 
Shall wither at Thy touch, 

And purged I'll be from sin. 

Thy breath is like the lily 
That thrills my every sense, 

And with its stainless beauty 

Oft bears my thoughts from hence- 

Bears them from earth's temptations 

To find repose in Thee. 
Where, leaning on Thy loving breast, 

I'm clothed with purity. 



fll>l2 fatri2 Bower 

Held, rested, soothed in Nature's arms, 

I've lain upon her breast. 
When every nerve was weary 

So worn with its fruitless quest. 
Ever seeking for something 

That would still the troubled brain 
And quiet the throbbing pulse. 

Which bounded so with pain. 
'Twas then I stole away 

And dear Mother Nature found 
Far away from the city 

With its many a-jarring sound. 
I often lay in the grass 

And gazed at the sky and trees. 
Or listened unto the murmur 

Of the musical little breeze. 



96 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRA\ 

____^__ ■! 

And gazed in wonder at the lake, 

With its ceaseless ebb and flow, 
'Till awe and reverence swept me, \ 

Setting my heart aglow j 

With a rapture of love and faith \ 

In the One who created all \ 

These most surpassing wonders — 

Would He not heed my call? 

So I just sank in the midst j 

Of all that beauty profound 
And let it sweep my soul — ^ 

Then, listening to the sound 
Of Nature's many voices, ■ 

They soothed the weary heart, 
For their songs v^^ere of hope and love, ' 

And thus did courage impart. ^: 

Then I found a cozy retreat -i 

Built in a fine old tree, \ 

Where I was safe from intrusion, ^ 

With only the squirrels to see. ^ 

And now and then a birdling ,; 

Would enter my leafy bower, \ 

Which, strewn with ferns and mosses, \ 

Enchanted many an hour. '\ 

'*My fairy bower," as I called it. 

Came to be a sacred place, ■ 

For when so tired and troubled \ 

Its sweet bewitching grace 
Soothed, cheered and made me peaceful. 

For 'twas my trysting place, 1 

Where all alone with my Savior j 

His wondrous love I could trace — i 

In the dainty, feathery ferns, ' 

And the delicate flowerlets sweet, 
That grew profusely about me, 

And the moss beneath my feet — /* 

All told of a Father's love, \ 

Who this wild beauty hath made. ^ 

Shall I then, His own child. 

Fear and be sore dismaved? \ 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 97 

^0 ^be iforeaften 

Art lost? Thy Father will seek 
Though afar on the mountains wild. 

He will hear the helpless cry, 
Of His poor, fainting child. 

Perchance thou were driven away 
From home, and dear ones all, 

And the cup of anguish was bitter, 
You shrank from the drops of gall. 

Afar from home and kindred 

You wearily wandered on, 
Until, heedless of your danger, 

You saw how far you'd gone. 

But too late your steps to retrace 

Before the sun had set. 
In hopeless despair you sank 

'Mid the snow all dripping and wet. 

You surely must He there and perish 
Away on the mountains cold, 

But, hark! Through the dreary silence 
Comes an angel voice as of old. 

Can it be you are in heaven, 

You who were dreary and lone? 

Can such marvel of joy and light 
Be for you who could only moan ? 

Yes, 'tis for you, the outcast. 

The one who "was driven away!" 

List to the heavenly voices 

Which are sweetly wooing to-day. 

They sing of the Tender Shepherd, 
Who Cometh through all the cold, 

To seek the lost and sick one, 
And bear it safe to His Fold. 

He will not stop to censure 
His famishing, hopeless child, 



98 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

But tenderly He will lift you 

And bear from the mountains wild. 

You've sinned and wandered afar 
Till for you there seems no hope, 

But list to the angel's song — 

**The Almighty with evil can cope. 

Believe the sweet-voiced singers 
And you who ''were driven away" 

Will out of the terrible blackness 
Find a shelter that ne'er will decay. 



"Yea, they may forg-et, jet will not I forget thee." 

Can a mother forget the little life 
That hath silently grown within her own ? 
Ceasing to cherish the helpless one, 
When God Himself the treasure loaned ? 

Forget the one she suffered for? 

Yea, mother love may e'en forsake — 
Her royal crown may come to hate 

And every loving tie may break. 

Yet One there is who ne'er forsakes, 
. But loveth straight to the end. 
And the more forsaken and lone thou art, 
The dearer art thou to this Friend. 



C;bc 6rcat Silence 

I sent my soul into Silence 

Where with God I could be alone. 
I was restless for deliverance 

And tired of earth's noise and moan. 
I went within, and closed the door, 

And poured out my cry for aid. 
Then hushed my heart to hear His voice- 

And I heard, ''Be not afraid," 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 99 

'Tor to the uttermost I will save 

And to the utmost keep, 
Will cleanse and keep you wholly clean, 

So you've no need to weep. 
So onward go clothed in my might 

E'en though you're tempted sore, 
For forty days and forty nights 

I such temptation bore." 

"Know, then, there is a power Divine 

To help you in such hours, 
Fear not, the shadows then, my child. 

Or thorns beneath the flowers ; 
I said I will save and will keep, 

And Fm able all that to do. 
You are clad in the armor of God 

And no arrow can Satan send through." 



Sbe (3olJ)en 1Rovo 

Center thy thoughts on Light ! 
That blessed beautiful thing! 
Which banishes dark forebodings 
And seems like an angel's wing. 
When clouds shut out the sunshine 

Think the more strongly of light, 
When blackness is all about thee 

There's a Light that will scatter the 
night. 

To-day hast thou home and loved ones ? 

Then trustfully live those hours. 
Drinking in all their sweetness, 

Not fearful of coming showers. 
Be glad, be glad, in the blessings 

That fill running over thy cup, 
Not fearing that out in the years 

Thou'lt have no blessings to sup. 

To-day ! O, to live in to-day ! 
Letting the morrows all rest, 



LofC. 



100 Lib E'S BLUE AND GRAY 

Taking a wholesome comfort 
In the joys our Father hath blest. 

To-day holds all that we need 

Of blessing, and light, and strength, 

How foolish to grieve o'er seeing not, 
Clear to the journey's length. 

To-day! Just rest in to-day, 

To-morrow our help is assured. 
The Light and Love will not fail, 

To that let us safely be moored. 
So center thy thoughts on Light, 

The wondrous Light of the world, 
For then spite of darkness and gloom 

Hope cannot her banner keep furled. 



ITbe flDuee'e Mbieper 

I sat in my cozy home 

Looking into the night, 
The ground was covered with snow 

And the moon was shining bright. 

The trees all bare of leaflets 
Made shadows here and there, 

While all about was peaceful 
And seemed surpassing fair. 

I watched and saw white lights 
Flash in the far northeast, 

Wondering if 'twere angels 

Hovering near to bring a release. 

Release from this aching body, 
Which cumbers us so with care. 

Release for the pent up spirit 
Which longs for its native air. 

Of course, 'twas the northern lights, 

And yet I haven't a doubt 
Had we but eyes to behold them. 

White robes we'd see all about. 



LIFERS BLUE AND GRAY 



101 



Then as I sat and mused 

The lights bore this thought to me, 
'We re pure rays of Infinite Peace, 

Borne over life's troublous seas/' 

So calmness entered my soul. 

While the lights still came and went 

*Go on still thinking God's thoughts" 
Is the message to me they sent. 

"Be still, and you will catch them 
As adown the wires they're sent, 

'Tis to think His thoughts and pass them 
Is what by your life He meant." 



JTairiee 

Do you think that fairies do not exist? 

Now just a moment to my tale list. 

One time when lonely and sick 

I learned of their little trick. 

'Tis when one is sadly in need, 

They prove their friendship indeed. 

Thus the fairies came to my aid, 

And sunshine for me often made.' 

One was my ''fairy godmother," 

Who near me often would hover ; 

Guessing my unspoken wish, 

And with dainties filling my dish. 

She was not little or old 

As fairies are, we are told. 

But she had the largest heart, 

And faithfully did her part, 

To make me happy and well. 

All she did, I can never tell. 

And to my other good "fairies" - 

This book to each my love carries. 

I wish I could mention them all. 

But their names glow on memory's hall. 

Each one is dear to my heart. 



102 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY ,; 

And their kindness oft makes the tears ' 

start. \ 

And I trust that real angel fairies, i 

Will find where each dear one tarries. | 

So when life's blue changeth to night, ; 

They may gild the way home with their * 

light. ; 



Ibie Ifoot0tep0 

So lightly fall they and our ears too dull 
To catch the rhythm of that gliding sound; 
Softly they tread as we do on a mound, 
And pure His vesture as the finest mull. 
So near He comes to us at times 
Our souls may hear the heavenly chimes. 

For where'er He goes methinks 

Angels follow with music rare, 

Or is it but His footfall that wakens music 

fair? 
But this I know, the steps are links 
In the endless chain of His love. 
How weary they were to the cross ! 
Until He had risen above. 

**His footsteps are not known," 
Not known how painful they were. 
If so, how the teardrops would blur 
Our eyes as we thought of His moan 
When He came unto His own 
And was not received, but left alone. 

With bleeding steps He marked the way 

For us ! Ne'er thinking of the pain 

If we His peace might gain. 

Knowing all this can we say Him ''Nay !" 

Ah, those blood-stained feet and garments 

fray ! 
Can we think of them and still turn away? 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 103 

"Not known !" Perchance e'en now He is 

near, 
Would we but open our hearts to receive 
What words of comfort might us relieve. 
Did we but pause to be silent and hear, 
Ah, soon He would banish each heavy fear 
And quickly dry the falling tear. 



^be droofteb (Xrec 

One day I strayed into a glen 

And found the strangest tree, 
Deformed it was at the very start, 

A pitiful thing to see. 
All about it were tall, straight trees. 

So proud in their glorious might, 
They seemed to say with stately grace — 

**You can never attain our wondrous 
height !" 

I sorrowfully thought: *Toor, dear old 
tree! 

How bravely you've struggled and tried 
To overcome your wrongs of birth 

And triumph o'er your pride." 
I sat and studied each little curve, 
. Sketching not the stately trees. 
But the one whose life had been so dwarfed 

By its peculiar deformity. 

It grew nearly flat upon the ground, 

Perhaps for twenty feet ; 
Then, as if bound to do its best. 

It curving made such a pretty seat. 
Gaining courage, it tried again, 

And desperately fought its way. 
Straight upward it towered, a glorious 
sight ! 

With a grace that none could gainsay. 



104 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

And all along the deformed part 

It covered with lichens and moss, 
Until one exclaimed, "What a beautiful 
tree!" 

Scarce noting how it conquered its cross. 
And it preached the most wonderful ser- 
mon 

I've heard in many a day, 
For it taught, there nothing impossible, 

To him who will conquer, he may ! 

No matter how ugly or unsightly one is, 

They still may win beauty and grace. 
For the tree overcame by looking at God, 

Though deformed at its very base. 
No life is so crooked, however it seems, 

But yet may grow beautiful still. 
By constantly looking upward to God 

The most stunted soul with beauty He'll 
fill. 

The dear, crooked tree I loved all the 
more 
Because it had conquered so much. 
It had struggled and struggled and tri- 
umphed at last ! 
And it with real reverence I touched. 
I said, **Brave old tree, I will sing of your 
Hfe, 
So heroic and noble it is ! 
To those who are blighted or stunted by 
fate, 
I will tell them the Face helped you con- 
quer was His !" 



(Bentle XcaMuQ 

If we but constantly trust 
The Father will hold us secure, 

But what about the times 

When we cannot longer endure? 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 105 



List to the tale of a child, 
Who held fast his father's hand, 

Through a dark and dangerous passage, 
Till so tired it could hardly stand. 

Then at last cried out : "O papa ! 

I'm so tired, I'm afraid I will fall !" 
Did the father chide the child? 

Was the cry not heeded at all? 

Did He sternly say: ''Now cling to my 
hand ! 

Or you will be lost in the dark !" 
No, no, the father's heart was touched, 

And each weary step did he mark. 

So he tenderly lifted the child 

Into his strong arms awhile, 
And thus the little one rested 

Until he could now walk a mile. 

Just so, when we cannot cling, 

Our Father doth not chide, 
But if we will only let Him 

Us safe in His arms will He hide. 

So we must trust Him to keep, 

Yes, even our very trust, 
For we cannot cling every moment, 

We're so tired that drop v/e must ! 

And then v/e haven't wandered, 

But just fallen into His care; 
Dear hearts, do you catch my meaning? 

A sweet, helpful secret is there. 



Xeavea, Bloeeome, fruit 

'^Nothing but leaves, leaves !" 
Was He angry then? Ah, no. 

He tenderly, sadly spake. 
The immutable law just so 



106 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

We would see our lives must barren be 
If we brought forth no blossoms or fruit. 

'Tis like ^'hanging our harp upon a tree," 
Leaving the instrument mute. 

Leaves are beautiful, God made them so; 

How they sanctify and bless ! 
Under their cooling shade we are glad 

Often to sit and rest. 
They soothe us while we gaze 

Away into their cool depths — 
Some are singing a merry song, 

Others seem listening for His steps. 

As He ''walked in the garden the cool of 
the day," 

So, methinivs, He often does still. 
And the leaves whisper softly with reverent 
grace, 

As their fragrance for Him they distill. 
He wanted to show that leaves were not all. 

That blossoms and fruit we must bear. 
Or our very life would wither away, 
And to heed that we must have a care, 

For the more we give out of blossoms and 
fruit, 

The richer our lives will become. 
And those about us we'll abundantly bless 

With full measure, not merely a crumb. 
How shall we do it ? There is but one way, 

Just only ''abide in the vine," 
And if we do that. His life touching ours. 

We cannot o'er barrenness pine. 

For all will rejoice in the grace 

Of the blossoms that with them we share, 

Their lives will be sweetened by the per- 
fume 
That floats on the evening air. 

Then the luscious and beautiful fruit, 
How tempting it is unto all. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 107 



Our lives should be as wholesome and 
sweet 
As the great, golden peaches in fall. 

How can they be in this world of strife, 

Where there's warfare on every hand ? 
When it seems there's nothing at all but 
leaves. 

And we stumble oft more than we stand. 
I gave a glimpse of the crooked tree 

That was strangely and sadly deformed 
At the very start of its little life, 

Yet it conquered and met the storm ! 

Just so, by often looking up. 

Not down, at the trying things, 
We come at last to rise above 

Till we feel like a conquering king! 
The blossoms and fruit must follow 

If \ye turn our face toward the sun, 
Looking away from the hindrances 

And the wrongs which we have done. 

'Tis sad we've been so unfruitful. 

But grieving won't help it a bit, 
Just rise in your might and look Godward ! 

And I know your whole face will be lit 
With a light that will make you a comfort 

To others wherever you go. 
Look Godward! and fruit will ripen. 

You will find it even so. 



ibel5 

Safe in the arms that love me 

And will not let me fall. 
Safe in that dear, dear Refuge 

Where there is naught can appall. 

Safe, safe in the direst conflict, 

When the arrows fly thick and fast^ 



108 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

Safe in the fiercest battle, 

Though tattered and torn is the mast. 

Safe in the raging tempest, 
And e'en the hurricane's roar, 

Safe, safely hidden forever, 

Oh ! how can I fear any more ?' 

Safe when foes assail me 

And would hurt with poisoned dart, 
Safe am I from their clutches, 

They cannot pierce my heart. 

Safe ! O such blessed safety ! 

There's naught with it can compare, 
Held serene and untroubled 

In my heavenly Father's care. 



Soul flowers 

In the soul that overcomes, 

Holding out its hand to all, 
Thrives a strange, unearthly plant. 

The seeds of which from heaven fall. 
And though none its beauties see. 

All catch hints of its perfume, 
Which it sheddeth forth the most 

When life dusky grows with gloom. 

Unseen hands the plant attends. 
Nourishing when parched and dry ; 

It is fed and strengthened, too. 
When it seems about to die. 

So, ne'er fear about thy soul, 
If to others thou art true, 

Ever helping on the weak. 

Unseen hands will see thee through. 
Thus, forgetting thine own self. 

Seeking others may be blest, 
Fear not thou wilt be left out, 

God Himself wilt warm thy nest. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRA\ 109 



And within thine inmost soul 
Flowers abundantly will bloom, 

Till thou ever art sought out, 

And all hearts for thee make room. 



flDi? Xove Xetter 

Fve found the sweetest promise 

That hushes my very soul, 
It steals about me like perfume 

And doth my senses control. 

I was looking for a letter 

When I heard the postman's ring. 
And was just a wee bit lonely 

When I found this dear, sweet thing. 

And 'twas as if a voice 

Whispered softly in my ear: 

''Here is just the sweetest letter 
Which will calm your every fear." 

So eagerly I grasped it, 

And this is what I found: 
The blessed "never more," 

Which brought me peace profound. 

It said that He who loves us 

So much the best of all 
Will "hide His face no more." 

Can aught then us appall? 

To know He's really with us. 
Through every trying thing. 

It brings the sweetest rapture. 
My heart cannot but sing ! 

This world is full of changes 
Which grieve us ofttimes sore. 

But oh, the bliss of knowing 
He'll hide His face no more ! 



no LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY \ 

. __ I 

Not always do we see Him, '\ 
But 'tis our fault alone. " ■ 

We hide our face from Him, \ 

Nor heed His tender tone. \ 

'Tis such a dear, sweet letter \ 

I share with you today, 

Knowing ''He'll hide his face no more," : 

Illumes the darkest way. • 



a pause tn Xtfe 

"Wait patiently, my child," 

One seems to whisper me, 
"But I do not Hke to wait !" 

I answered carelessly. 
"Oh, child, how hard it is 

To learn thy Father's ways. 
That waiting time ne'er is lost. 

He's working all the days." 

I had asked for patience in distress. 

And He had helped me wait ; 
Now, will He fail me in this test. 

E'en though I turn to Him late ? 
Turn after trying until I fail 

To hold still my restless heart; 
I drop Hke a child into His arms 

And He soothes the tears that start. 

Then from His touch is born a strength 
That can wait whate'er betide. 

For only think of the grandeur 
Of having Him at my side ! 



Stranae ^bat Me Sboulb Sliflbt ^be 
IDloIete 

One time where flowers were blooming 
wild, 
My feet were guided by waters still. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 111 

I wandered on as a careless child, 

Scarce noting their beauty, until — 
All of a sudden, a dark cloud arose, 

And quickly a tempest enfolded me. 
E'en the flowers drooped their heads in 
woe, 

Such wreck and destruction was sad to 
see ! 
And then I knew what I had missed. 

As I roamed about that fair June day ; 
Yes, I knew it all, while the storm cloud 
hissed 

And raged and roared in that terrible 
way! 
And 'tis but a parable, reader fair, 

Of the way we neglect until joy hath fled, 
To be glad and rejoice in our own share 

Till, alas ! too oft our love is dead. 
Dead or gone from beyond our grasp 

Are the happy days of love and light. 
Oh, why did we not enjoy their clasp 

Ere they slipped away and left us in 
night? 
Be glad in the present hour alone. 

Look not afar into future days ; 
So doing thou'lt lose the sweetest tone, 

And heavenly light will hide its rays. 



a Xittle Cbtlb Sball Xeab Ebem 

Oh, magic words from baby lips ! 
How oft our philosophy they eclipse. 
With wisdom which doth us astound, 
Filling with wonder and awe profound. 

And ofttimes when the heart is sad, 
A word they'll drop which makes us glad. 
Till ashamed of our faithlessness and fear. 
We catch the trust in their eyes so clear. 



112 LIFE'S BLUE AND.-GRA't 

Two little ones were talking one day 
About the Good Shepherd. I heard them 

say: 
*'He feeds them and drives away the 

bears !" 



Ah, hst ! my heart, think how He cares ! 

Sure enough, I quickly thought, 

How He drives away the tempter, and 

aught 
That would frighten us, or e'en alarm ; 
So why do we fear ihat we can come to 

harm ? 

Then another wee one earnestly said : 
(Or did an angel sing it instead?) 
*'Yes, and He carries them up the hill !" 
Ah, it thrills my heart, for I know He will ! 



IFlewncsg ot Xitc 

When brain and nerves are exhausted. 

And nothing can calm or renew, 
I haste to the ''Living Water" 

And drink as the flowerlets the dew. 
Then though this weak, frail body 

Oft holds me in my room, 
My heart and will grow strong 

To lift my soul from gloom. 

Oh, weary, sick and sad ones ! 

I would you would hasten and drink 
From the well of "Living Water," 

'Twill save you, when you think 
That hope no longer shines, 

And your case each hour grows Vv'orse, 
Oh, come to the "Living Water," 

Wliich saves from every curse, 

No matter what the trouble — 

Sin, sorrow of heart or mind, 
Here, here is sweet refreshment 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 113 



For the saddest of mankind. 
Come, come and taste the chrism, 

Which satisfies all thirst. 
Fear not thy case too hopeless, 

'Tis known to cure the worst 



Praise me not, my sweet friend, 

What you love He did lend. 

I am nothing at all 

If I heed not His call. 

What you see to admire 

Is His cleansing lire. 

It sweeps white our hearts 

By anguish fierce darts. 

No credit to me, 

'Tis the Refiner you see. 

I cannot do right 

Till He clothes me in white. 

No grace can I win 

Till I dwell Him within. 

I simply am naught 

Till by Him I'm taught. 

And cannot ''abide" 

Unless He doth hide. 

I simply look up 

And he fills full my cup." 



tTbe Hfteralow 

My life was once rosy with love, 
Not a touch of care did I know. 

But suddenly the sky grew leaden 
And I was overcome with woe. 

I sank in helpless sorrow, 
Feeling no more for me 

The^ sun would even smile 
Till death should set me free. 



114 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY ] 

But what is it in the west? ; 

Behold a wondrous Hght ! 1 

'Tis the afterglow of sunset, -j 

Lighting up the shadowy night. j 

Just then it touched my life, 

The afterglow divine ! 
And I found a purer joy 

Than I had craved might be mine. ' 

Have the rose tints of the morning ' 

Faded from out your sky? \ 

Oh, 'tis hard to wait till evening, \ 

And hope grows faint as you sigh. 1 

But, believe me, the tender radiance, ; 

Though calm, is sweeter far \ 

Than the dazzling glare of noontide, ; 

About it there's nothing to mar. i 

The afterglow of sunset, 1 

Touched with colors faint, \ 

Calms, soothes and truly rests me, \ 

So now I've no complaint. ; 

It makes me think of the halo i 

Surrounding the Savior's face, i 

Softened and truly blended, \ 

'Tis a beauty refined, pure and chaste. 1 

So, as in the shadows you wait, \ 

Do not, I pray you, despair ; ' 

For e'en at the close of Hfe 1 

The afterglow may be there. '\ 



a Cbilb's miss 



A touch from those dewy lips 
Seems the "nectar of gods" as I sip, 
I feel 'tis an angel's touch, 
And bewildered, I marvel much 
That I should thus honored be 
By angels ministering to me. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 115 



Those childish lips so pure, 
From evil's power they lure, 
They are as free from guile 
And sweet as an angel's smile. 
Their touch uplifts me so 
They wean me from all that's low. 

Have you a dear child's love ? 

Cherish fondly the little dove, 

For too soon 'twill fly away, 

You'll hunger for it many a day. 

To me it seems as the sweet lips unclose, 

Tis a ghmpse in the very heart of a rose. 



'fln Sbc Sbabow0 

To listen for a step that never comes, 
O the bitterness of that hour! 

When we know at last the sad truth — 
'Tis then we seek for a Tower 

That will shelter us from the blast. 
When earthly loves die away ; 

They soothed us to the last. 
But cannot with us always stay. 

And suspense would eat out our life 

As v/e listen for one who comes not to- 
day. 

But wait, poor breaking heart! 

Another Guest cometh to you. 
'Tis the Comforter, 'twas promised, 

And He brings with Him the blue, 
The passionate clouds of suffering 

Must now change their dark hue. 

For the darkest cloud must fade 

Beneath His magic touch. 
O merciful One and true! 

Thy heart hath suffered so much. 
It measures our deepest pain; 

Ah ! it knows the weight of such. 



116 LIhE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

When we reach out in the dark 
For a hand that ahvays was there, 

So quick to respond to our love, 
Making hfe all rosy and fair, 

And to know it is gone forever — 
Oh, then life seems utterly bare. 

But across the bleak, lone hours, 
The Comforter came unto me. 

And gave me His own hand. 

Saying: 'Til be a lover to thee." 

The blackness was so awful, 
But radiance shone for me. 

Hath the life blood seemed to stop 
Until it bounds no more? 

Doth your very heart seem dying 
With its deeply hidden sore ? 

Right now He comes to heal you, 
E'en now He waits at the door. 

'Tis not false hope I am giving, 
But just what came to me 

Through the nights of intense sufifering 
He came, and from grief set me free. 

Just so through thy great darkness, 
The Comforter comes unto thee. 



"Hs tTbc 2>cw" 

As the dew refreshes the parched earth, 
And causeth the flowers to smile for mirth. 
E'en so His chrism on us will descend. 
If we but commune with Him as a friend. 

No more, then, so drooping and weary 

we'll be, 
For like to the lily will we grow, saith He. 
A sweeter promise He never gave 
Than that pure as the flowers He us will 

save. 



LIFERS BLUE AND GRAY 117 



No worry or care know these stainless 

flowers, 
But joyous they live in their leafy bowers, 
So trustful and happy they wait His will. 
Knowing each promise He doth fulfiil. '. 

A lesson for us, O doubting heart ! 

Our Father will surely do His part. 

In beauty and grace we may each hour 

grow. 
Till we gain the height we longed for so. 

TRcetleee Sea 

Is that so of your life, oh, my friend ? 
Do the waves madly leap and roar 

Till it seems the tempest will never end ? 
The wind fiercely tossing the waves 

Until they heavenward climb, 
While i^ seems no shelter or help is nigh, 

You surely must perish this time. 

CrasJl upon crash of thunder, 

The lightning startling is ! 
The waves are seething in anguish. 

Uttering groans and sometimes a hiss! 
Ah,^yes, I know all about it, 

Heart struggles on sea and on land, 
And would I could give you a picture 

Of the powerful outstretched hand! 

I see in the midst of the breakers 
A wonderful, wonderful form ! 

Perfectly white is the vesture, 

And He's calm in spite of the storm. 

Both hands He extends o'er the waves. 
He breathes forth His "Peace be still !" 

And v/onderful marvel of nature, 

The storm His com.mand doth fulfill. 

You say, perchance, I'm a dreamer. 
But I tell you what I have seen. 



118 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

The angry mood of Nature 

Change utterly her mien. 
And when I thought to be swept away 

By the sorrows that o'er me rolled, 
I have seen the white-robed Figure 

Stay the waves and the storm cloud con- 
trolled ! 

Your heart, methinks, hke the sea is, ^ 

Restless and striving alway, 
And never still will it grow, dear. 

Till the waves hear His voice and obey. 
An "infinite craving there is," 

That an infinite filling must claim, 
And into my tempest-tossed heart 

An infinite stilling there came. 

So in the raging tempest 

That tosses you mercilessly. 
Behold, through the intense blackness 

Thy Master walketh the sea! 
The waves can go no farther, 

For His decree stands fast. 
Look unto Him, all who perish. 

At His word the storm has passed ! 



a team Mitb fID? Ibcart 

Were those weary days and nights 
When Jesus was tempted sore 

Spent for naught — those hours 
He such temptation bore? 

Were those terrible garden hours. 
When the dearest left Him alone, 

All for naught? Oh, my heart! 
For thee was that weary moan. 

Were those insults all in vain, 
Which He so sweetly bore ? 

Oh, Hst, my heart ! 'Twas that He 
Could help thee all the more. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 119 



Were those cruel nails in vain, 
And the wound in His dear side ? 

Ah, no ! 'Twas for thee, my soul, 
That He thus bled and died. 

Were those agonized cries in vain, 

When it seemed e'en God Him forsook? 

Ah, no ! 'Twas in thy pain 

Thou wouldst know where to look. 

Did He sufifer all that in vain. 

That I in bondage must be? 
No ! no ! My heart, 'tis e'en true, 

He suffered to set thee free ! 

Yet I make it all in vain 

Through my want of trust in His Word, 
When I turn away from His blessings. 

Believing not what I have heard. 

He repeats o'er and o'er the message, 
*^He came to save and to keep." 

O soul of mine ! do rejoice ! 

'Tis wronging His love thus to weep. 

Make not that fearful anguish 
He suffered for thee all in vain ; 

Ne'er mind about the feeling, 

Just know He saves thee from pain. 

From the self whose fetters bind thee. 

He died to rescue thee, 
O soul of mine! Believe it! 

Thou even now art free! 



fiDi? Sbepbert) 

Have you ever watched a shepherd 
Tending his flock of sheep, 

In danger how he guards them 
With a care that does not sleep ? 

If you have, the mental picture 



12 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

Will help you understand 
What I mean when I say: *'My Shepherd 
Found me lost in the desert sand.'' 

I was really in the desert, 

No oasis of green was in sight, 
And wandering about half distracted, 

Was in a sad, sad plight. 
But my perilous situation 

Touched His tender heart, 
My Shepherd stood before me, 

And bade me my journey start. 

So with His leading, I tried again 

To walk the desert sand. 
But He saw me stagger and almost fall, 

So He gave me His dear hand. 
And when I touched it I grew strong. 

It seemed that I had wings, 
So glad was I and sure of strength, 

And lifted above earthly things. 

Then soon we came to sunny fields, 

Where flowers were growing wild. 
When in delight I dropped His hand 

To gather the flowers that smiled. 
Through the sunny field I wandered on. 

Careless of setting sun. 
Or that I had entered a v/oodsy place 

And the day was nearly done. 

Presently night dropped her curtain. 

Alas ! Not a star could I see ! 
I thought, 'Tt is worse than the desert," 

As I sank beneath a tree. 
Hours and hours that seemed ages 

Slowly crept away, 
I crouched with the horrors of darkness 

Threatening each moment to slay. 

All night I sat in the blackness, 

But morning cam^e at last ! 
And I tried to rise, but could not. 



LIFERS BLUE AND GRAY 121 



After so long a fast. 
I wondered what I should ever do; 

I must just He there and die, 
When through the stillness 

Came a voice, "Fear not; I've heard thy 
cry." ^ 

Then memory took me to childhood, 

I was sitting at mother's feet 
As she taught me, "The Lord is my shep- 
herd, ^ 
I shall not want," I heard her repeat 
1 shall not want!" how it comforted me' 
Lost m the forest wild. 
^"^ ^t^^en my Shepherd came again. 
With eyes that were sad and mild. 

He did not give me one harsh word, 

But tenderly raised me up, 
And carried me like a little child 

To a spring, and gave me a cup. 
The hving water revived me much 

And I thought that I could walk, 
But I reeled again and nearly fell, 

Then think you that He mocked ? 

No, no, my Shepherd lifted me 

Tenderly as before, 
And carried me like a little lamb 

Back to my miother's door. 

I told you how He led me 

Out of the desert bare, 
Into the fresh, green pastures 

Where bloomed the flowerlets fair, 
And how, when nearly fainting, 

He led me to waters still, 
That murmured ever so softly. 

Just like a little rill. 

Later I found what it meant 

When it said, "restoreth my soul," 
For from me all burdens were lifted. 



122 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 1 

■_ ■ •* 

I was free, as from me they rolled. \ 

Then I was sure He was leading ; 

Me in ''righteousness' path," ^ 
For I did not feel so lonely 

Or afraid of His great wrath. j 

Next came a long, long sickness, \ 

When they thought that I would die, ^ 

I felt I was in the 'Valley" \ 

And the "shadow of death" was nigh. j 
Then came my mother's chapter ^ -\ 

She taught me at her knee, * \ 

That "death was only a shadow," \ 

Not a real thing at all, you see. 

At that "no evil could I fear," 

With the "Strong One" at my side, 

I knew, though I had often failed, \ 

He could see that I had tried. " \ 

Then health once more returning, 

I upon a journey went. 
And in climbing the rugged bluflfs, 

I learned what "His rod and staflf" \ 

meant. \ 

Another experience taught me, \ 

When greatly misunderstood, \ 

About the "table He prepares" \ 

With abundant food and good, '• 

Right in our "enemies' presence," \ 

Who would harm us if they could, ; 

He feeds with heavenly manna \ 

When they did not dream He would. ; 

One day, too sacred to mention, i 

I felt the "anointing with oil." \ 

I was set apart for a cerjtain work, : 

And I dared not shirk the toil. '\ 

Then came the fullest blessing! ' 

As I accepted the trust \ 

My "cup" really did "run over," \ 

So free, it seemed soar I must. '■ 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 123 

After such varied lessons, 

When my Shepherd did not fail 
To help me through each darkness, 

Do you think His love will pale ? 
No, I can trust my future 

To *'One divinely strong," 
For He promised ''goodness and mercy 

Shall follow me" all my life long. 



Zo (5trlboo& Sweet 

Defer not the touch that means so much 
To the stranger within your gates, 

For 'tis so easy to forget 
When happy with your mates. 

The lonely one, for whom none cares, 

Save just the One above. 
Defer not to give to the sorrowing heart 

A message of Christ-like love. 

Defer not the smile which brightens the 
day 

For the little one near your feet. 
Defer not the kiss on the withered brow, 

When a little makes life sweet. 

Defer not the words of love which you 
feel 

Till your dear one slips away ; 
Defer not the sympathy you'd show. 

But dread so much to say. 

''Defer not!" It sings itself o'er and o'er, 

No matter which way I turn. 
Defer not to reach out a helping hand 

Is something I long to learn. 



124 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 



Xove 

Wherever two hearts truly love, 
Methinks an angel bends, 
But such glory only heaven lends 
When the two are pure and true ; 
And then what words can tell the bliss 
When truth and purity doth kiss? 

In that pure love so far beyond 

The stained love of earth, 

An angel watches o'er its birth 

With tender reverence. 

And pours deep thrills and holy fire 

Into our hearts until we tire 

Of earth and long for heaven. 

And in that strange, sweet moment, 
When clasped in love's arms fast, 
Troubles quickly vanish, we're satisfied at 

last. 
Oh, passing strange is the rapture ! 
From above such pure love flows, 
'Tis God's own holy fire that in us brightly 

glows. 



TOlben tbe Bir&Iinfl Ibatb flown 

Oh, lonely and desolate mothers ! 

How I wish I might help you to see 
'Twas love that hath taken your birdling 

And keepeth it safely for thee. 

Keeps it with care which you cannot. 
Though you love it far better than life, 

And, oh, how it hurts Him to do it. 
When pain stabs you through like a 
knife.. 

Yes, 'twas love, I can truly say it, 
For God's nursery is bright. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRA\ 125 

Nothing to mar the sunshine, 
And the little feet follow the right. 

So when I see other mothers 

Grieved when their darlings stray, 

I say, **God was good to my birdling 
When He quietly took her away." 

For isn't it sweet that the darling 
Is spared all the pain which we know? 

Spared all the pain and dreary earth stain 
Of living with us here below. 

So look up, sad-hearted mother ! 
Your dear one is not far away. 
She gently is leading you homeward 
. To *'the land that is fairer than day." 



Defeat 

Defeat is a bitter thing, 

Weakening our courage so, 
But ever above it I see 

There shines a beautiful bow. 
This came to me just now 

When my plans all seemed to fail. 
There's a greater thing than success — 

Tis to endure the stormy gale. 

To endure is the braver thing 

Than to win the highest place, 
To hold right on through the storm 

Is to gain at last true grace. 
To be greater than all defeat. 

And above it to raise our head, 
Is truly a God-like triumph ! 

And it pays, though our heart hath bled. 



126 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 



Content 1 

I hold a brown leaf in my hand, \ 

And so crisp and fragile is it, 
I could crush it by a stroke, 

Yet from it new thought gleams f^it. 

They carry me back just a Httle while ' 

To the time when this leaflet sear, \ 

Quivered and tingled with bounding life \ 

Ere it met its doom so drear. 1 

\ 

How sad it felt when it saw the change \ 

Creeping slowly, silently on, , 1 

Its beautiful green was fading alas ! j 

And soon its strength would be gone. ] 

But, oh, what a radiance came to crown 

The last of its earthly stay ! '\ 

Such beautiful tints it ne'er had known, \ 
E'en in its bonniest May. 

And so it thereby learned content. 

E'en though it death must meet. 
For age but added glories bought 

And its coming, though sad, was sweet. ' 

And so I find with added years, \ 

Though we lose the bound and spring, { 

There's beautiful things laid up for us 

And old age a halo may bring, \ 

With fullness of light and glory ! j 

Such tints may color our sky '! 

Long after the blush of morning \ 

Hath forever passed us by. ^ 

Ha Ztboee Mbo Match for tbe 

flDorntna ' 

Have you ever sat the long night through ] 

By the bedside of one very dear? ■ 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRA\ 127 



If SO, you know how long are the hours, 
How heavy the heart grows with fear! 
And you wistfully look for the faintest 

streak 
^ Of rose in the eastern skies, 
For it seems daybreak will never come 
With rehef for heart and eyes. 

The night is endless as you gaze 

At the pain on your dear one's face, 
The morning seems to have gone for aye, 

As each suffering line you trace. 
"As those who watch for the morning," 

Ah, the agony folded in that! 
For the morning's dawn may bring 

The sorrow their heart sickened at. 

Many a night thus Fve spent 

With one dearer than life unto me, 
And sighed for the morning quickening, 

Yet dreading what it held for me. 
And so I grow very tender, 

As I think of the anxious hearts 
That eagerly **watch for the morning," 

While the tears at each thought freshlv 
start. 

To sit dumbly by and witness 
The suffering of one most dear 

Is such unutterable anguish 
We shrink in absolute fear. 

''As those who watch for the morning," 

Behold a mother pace 
Restlessly to and from the door, 

Eagerly scanning each face, 
Wearily hoping it is her boy, 

Yet fearing the reeling form, 
Sending up' prayers with everv breath, 

While tears fall fast and warm. 

"As those who watch for the morning," 
I see a young wife's face, 



128 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRA\ 

As she wanders from the cradle 
At the window takes her place. 

And wearily, wearily watches 
For him she loves so well, 

While it seems the blood is leaving her 
heart — 
Each step is a funeral knell ! 

''As those who watch for the morning," 

O sorrowful, dear old world! 
How many who watch for the dawning 

Find their hopes on a rock were hurled. 
Yet behold the morning breaketh ! 

After earth's gloomy night, 
That holds no darksome shadows 

To mar the sunshine bright. 

Look away to that fair morning. 
All ye who are sick at heart, 

The morn when we enter the homeland 
Where with sorrow forever we'll part. 



peace 

Ah, that is music I hear ! 
The words seem to woo me from fear. 
They are not of the earthly at all. 
But straightway from heaven fall. 

Peace! peace! Can it be for me? 
May I enter His peace, said He ? 
This struggling and restless heart. 
May it enter His peace, hence ne'er to 
part? 

Am I really one of the "they" 

Who are not shut out by His "Nay"? 

Yes, 'tis true, e'en I may hope 

I am not outside His love's broad scope. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 129 

So I, not may, but "shall" enter 
His peace ! E'en to the very center ! 
Not just the rim, where calmer I'll grow, 
But the fullness I, too, may even know ! 

Then naught can harm me there, 
Hid I will be in my Father's care. 
No blast can me even smite, 
ril repose in my Father's might. 

I once had a father on earth. 
Whose love was of priceless worth, 
But now Fve two "fathers in heaven," 
And for years, yes, more than eleven, 

I have missed the protecting care 
Of the one who stroked my hair 
And called me his "joy and his pride," 
And in danger was at my side. 

But still, I have fathers two, 
Who guard me with care most true, 
And they're leading me "into His peace," 
There the storms of Hfe all must cease. 

For outside His peace the arrows fall, 
They cannot pierce it any at all, 
For they drop beyond the very rim — 
Ah, at last I'm safely at rest in Him. 



Dear one, in the darkness, 

I would bring you a rift of cheer 
Open your heart for the words 

Which I long for you to hear. 
It is such a sad affliction 

That shadows you like a pall, 
It seems too dreadful to bear, 

But it makes me think of Saul. 



130 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

You remember how the darkness 

Swept down and shut out the light, 
And for days he groped in blackness 

Ere he gained again his sight? 
Then, all of a sudden 

A beautiful light shone around, 
Until he was affrighted, 

It did him so astound. 

'Twas the light of the Master's presence 

That overcame Saul's gloomy night, 
Changing for aye his darkness 

Into marvelous peace and light. 
Thus, if you will only let Him, 

Your night He will brighten with stars. 
Not even your hopeless condition 

From His sunshine can act as bars. 

He promised to "bring the blind ones 

By ways that they have not known," 
And safely He's leading you, dear one, 

Longing to call you "His own." 
For listen to what He saith : 

"The darkness I'll make as light, 
Till even your sad affliction 

I'll gild with My presence bright." 

"This thing so crooked and so hard 

Some day I'll untangle for you. 
And then you'll see that o'er you bends 

The bow with a wondrous hue. 
Some day you'll see its beauty, 

The rainbow of His love, 
That shines most brightly in sorrow. 

And o'er anguish lifts us above.'* 

In the bow that is arched above you 

I see these letters clear : 
"I'll share thy darkness with thee, 

Be sure I am always near." 
Then I seemed to hear Him whisper : 

"Oh, come unto Me, My child, 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 131 

Your burden is so heavy, 

You are tired of the tempest wild.'' 

I looked again, 

And above you still the rainbow smiled ! 
While I heard : *'Oh, weary one, come and 
rest," 

In His low, sweet tone. 
And the rainbow still smiled ! 



Momanboo& Crowneb 

A wee stranger cometh to earth, 
A tiny creature of royal birth ; 
Shall he find a cool reception here 
After leaving his heavenly atmosphere ? 

Oh, 'tis a sorrowful, bitter thought 
That such little guests are oft unsought 
By the ones who should rich welcome give. 
Or never call them here to live. 

The helpless darling that cometh to you 
Will bring a blessing ever new. 
If wide you open your heart to him 
You'll find a joy that grows not dim. 

For a child doth cheer a home 
Better than light from a beautiful dome, 
Refining and chastening all about. 
Skillfully calling new virtues out. 

Hath your life been empty and sad? 
Let him come in and make it glad. 
Or, if you were ''not wanted," O I pray ! 
Call not another to suffer that way. 

If he comes, be sure a sweet welcome to 

give. 
Proud that an angel has come to live 
With you in this poor, limited sphere, 
Making life sweeter the while he is here. 



132 LIhE'S BLUE AND GRA\ 

Shrink not from the cleansing fire, 
Which only weans from low desire, 
All who accept the holy trust, 
Not taking it merely because they must. 



flaebligbte 

I waited in His presence 

For His sweet *'Go in peace." 
I dared not stir without it, 

For I longed for a release 
From unrest of mind and heart; 

So I lingered in the silence, 
Praying He would peace impart. 

I said, **I must have rest 

From anxious cares and fears, 
I cannot live this way ! 

Beset with doubts and tears." 
So I waited in His presence 

And hushed my every sense. 
Hoping for soothing and calm 

To bear me on from hence. 

And while lost, as it were, in the silence, 

Peace like a wave o'er me rolled. 
I felt my burdens all vanish 

Like a sweet fairy story of old. 
Only I knew it was real, 

This wonderful, wonderful tide, 
Which swept o'er body and soul, 

Was the peace for which I sighed. 

Then a flash of light came down. 

Revealing a vista wide. 
Which led afar into shady depths 

Where musical waters glide. 
Over the archway hung 

Letters of purest white, 
The words they formed were : 

'*Go in peace, there's nothing here to 
blight." 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 133 

But I sorrowfully shook my head, 

As I wistfully gazed down the vale, 
Where all seemed glad and joyous 

Secure from each harsh gale. 
I said : '"Tis not for us 

Vv'ho must climb the mountain height ; 
Is there no rest, then, for us, 

Till we reach the end and 'tis night?" 

Ah, then another flash 

Of pure and beauteous light ! 
Revealed the truth of the picture 

And made it a precious sight. 
The "Go in peace is for all, 

Whate'er their weary way, 
Though over mountains rough 

In His peace you can safely stay." 



©atber ®ut ?Cbc Stonee 

A touching story I've read 

Of a woman so ragged and poor 

She was looked on as a thief 
And had much scorn to endure. 

One day a burly poHceman 

Caught her with a bundle at last, 

And roughly demanded to see it 

With, ''Woman ! now show what thou 
hast !" 

Then trembling the poor hands opened 
The parcel, at those grim words ; 

The sight brought loads of confusion. 
Strange feelings over him surged. 

For, instead of costly treasures, 

He saw but bits of glass. 
And gazed at her astounded, 

Then again at the glittering mass. 



134 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY - i 

i 

"Woman! what doth thou mean? \ 

Art crazy? What's this which thou ■ 

hast?" ] 

Then timidly and ehrinking, j 

She managed to stammer at last : \ 

'' 'Twas to save the feet of the bairnies \ 

I've picked up all this glass." \ 

Then a tear drop slowly gathered - • 

And fell on the glittering mass. 

'Twas a tear from the sternest of men \ 

Who never was known to weep, ''\ 

But now was touched to the depths 

Feeling angels beside her might creep. . 

Was she just only an outcast? 

No deed could be more sublime ^ 

Than to spare little feet all the hurts, i 

How many we'd save thus from crime. I 



ffa&iriQ IRoee ^(nte \ 

Is the bloom and beauty fading, | 

Are you losing your rosy tints? \ 

And seemeth it such a hard thing \ 

When the gold hath of gray stray hints? i 
Does life begin to look sombre 

As the rose flush fainter grows? 
And is the heart slightly heavy 

As the twenties upon you close? ; 

To be sure, the morn's dawn was fair, \ 

And we sigh as it fainter grows, \ 

But noontide a radiance hath _i 

E'en though has faded the rose. \ 

Faded from life and cheek ] 

'Till it seems no brightness is left. ' 

But, poor tired heart ! I beg you look up — | 
For above vou the cloud is cleft ! 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 135 

And the sun shines through with 

A splendor that's ahnost dazzHng to 
sight ! 
And spite of the morning fading, 

For us, behold still there is light ! 
We've only climbed to the height 

Where we are of some real worth. 
And able to help those behind us 

Who are swayed by the pleasures of 
earth. 

So isn't that better than rose tints, 

From out an experience to give 
Words of courage to those coming after 

Who still have these hard things to live ? 
I tell you if self you forget thus 

In giving out help unto all, 
A beauty far greater than human 

Like a mantle upon you will fall. 



Zq Florence anD Careers 

You know I believe in fairies, 
And it happened this very night. 

That four wee winsome people 
Transformed the dark into light. 

In a carefully shaded room 

I was lying very sick. 
When these little fairy folk 

Played the cunningest trick. 

They each stole in so softly 
And gently kissed my cheek. 

Till my heart was overflowing 
With feelings I could not speak. 

For these winsome little fairies, 
Brought me such a surprise, 

That it touched my very heart 
Bringing the tears to my eyes. 



136 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY a 

The gift itself was of value, 1 

But 'twas the sweet unselfish thought \ 

Which stirred me the very most, = 

x\nd a gleam of sunlight brought. ' 

Sent right into the darkness ; 

So I quite forgot the pain. 

Ah ! the dear little fairies' visit • \ 

I assure you was not in vain. ' 

Their sweet starr}^ eyes smiled at me ' 

And their voices soft and low, i 

Made me very sure that "fairies" ) 

Really do flit to and fro. \ 

"For my four little fairies 

Were sweet as flowerlets grow, 
And I know they will scatter blessings 1 

Wherever they may go. ■ 



ZTrcaeures 

''What is that in thine hand?" 

"O nothing but sand !" 

I carelessly said, 

Then gazing down, a stone dull and red, 

I saw fall to the ground. 

I gave a quick bound 

And soon held it fast, 

While the voice again asked 

The very same thing, 

Just as I was going to fling 

The plain little stone 

To the waves making moan 

At my feet. 

A hard rock I found 

And the stone with a sound 

That seemed like distress 

Went to fragments, some hardly less 

Sm.all than the round grain of sand 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 137 

I found on the strand. 

But gazing surprised 

With wondering eyes, 

I saw streaked and most richly veined 

A beautiful color the little stone stained, 

''What is that in thine hand?" 

Is it just common sand? 

With eyes gazing seaward I mused — 

Long and silently thought of the method 

He used 
To lighten my darkened vision 
By showing how an incision 
Into the depths of most common things 
Often a dazzling radiance brings. 
We in our scorn oft pass them by, 
While beauties untold all about us lie, . 
Hidden, 'tis true, but there all the same, 
And that which we work for never is tame 
As what we can see at a glance. 

"WHiat is that in thine hand?" 

Those words seem to stand 

Before my mind's eye 

As if they ne'er would pass by. 

I looked tenderly down at a little fair face 

Dimpled and sweetened Vv^ith baby grace. 

Then at the little hand clasped in mine. 

While I whispered, *'0 Father ! I know she 

is Thine, 
But do leave her with me !" 
But sadly and gently He 
Loosened my hold 
And I, frantic with pain for my darling, 

grew bold, 
While I pled so to keep her. 

'^What is that in thine hand?" 
If it be something that stands 
'Tv,^ixt you and your God 
Be sure that the rod 
Sooner or later must fall. 



138 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

Not in wrath, not at all, 
But in truest of love, 
That woos from above 
Like the most tender lover of earth. 
Doth it leave such a dearth in your Hfe ? 
Hurting worse than the surgeon's knife? 
Yes, but to heal He sometimes must 
wound. 

''What is that in thine hand ?" 

Many blessings thou hast 

Held in the close clasp 

Of thine hand. 

A touch for the lonely stranger 

May save a life from danger. 

How many sink in despair 

For want of a touch of care 

For their comfort. 

How tightly our hands seem to close 

O'er our treasures. 

''What is that in thine hand?" 

There are such precious things, 

"Broken toys and pieces of rings," 

And little frocks and shoes 

That seem too sacred to use. 

Yet, little feet are bare 

That might those little shoes wear. 

I thank Thee for the words, 

Though they chill my heart like a dirge, 

Yet from selfishness me arouse, 

AVhile my treasures from Thee I house. 

I thank Thee for the thought 

That from common things marvels arc 

wrought, 
These Fll no longer despise. 
But search for the angel hid in disguise. 



i^IFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 139 



fiDl? Mbite IRoee 

So pure you are, my beautiful one, 

You seem cleansed from all that's low. 

x'Vnd not a touch or trace of taint 
Soils your bosom of snow. 

And as I gaze in your inmost heart 

No evil I see to bHght, 
For 'tis your pure and holy thought 

Which makes your garments white. 

Once long ago I held a flower 
And prized it as something rare, 

But, lo ! as I nourished it tenderly 
It vanished unaware. 

Another flower I called my own, 

A sweet and fragrant rose, 
And dearly loved the blossom fair 

With a tenderness only love kno\vs. 

But this one Hkewise faded, 
Turned to ashes in my hand. 

So never more I thought to have 
A blossom in my desert sand. 

But strange! O passing strange! 

E'en in this barren soil 
Hath sprung a choice and beauteous plant 

Growing without care or toil. 

And because of loss it more sacred seems. 

My own life blossom rare, 
For when I looked for withered plants 

Behold a white rose there ! 

You seem a holy blossom 

My beautiful white, wliite rose ! 

And I know you will make me fairer 
By the perfume which you disclose. 



140 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY ^ 

i 

H Dream of tbe IRcal i 

I catch the sound of music \ 

Wandering among the trees, i 

It seems Hke heavenly voices 1 

Borne over the stormy seas. ■ 

So far away it seemeth \ 

Like a swiftly gliding stream, \ 

But it seems to float around me \ 

And I hear it as in a dream. 

Still, I am fully awake, -^ 

Life all about me teems ; -i 

But amid the hurry and worry :\ 

I catch the silvery gleams ; 

Of moonlight on water falling, * 

Of tinkling brooklets clear. 

Of mountains kissing heavens blue, \ 

Of blinking starlets dear. ' 

Pain cannot hold me a prisoner, ^ 

No fetters the soul can bind, : 

For I travel through distant countries, ] 

No force can hinder my mind s 

From soaring to worlds beyond — ^ 

Or diving in fathomless space ! % 

Oh, wonderful marvel of being, ^ 

Thy mystery we cannot trace! -- 



1l5eal flDanboot) 

I see a tall and princely youth 

Whose fair brow wears the stamp of truth, 

A face with strength in every line 

And eyes through which a pure soul shines. 

An air of culture marks the place. 
Refinement everywhere we trace 
About his palace home. 
Yet from it soon his feet must roam. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRA\ 141 



Methinks I see him wander 

And in the moonlight ponder 

The mighty thoughts that stir his heart 

Until the tears unbidden start. 

For yonder bathed in beauteous light 
A perfect picture of the night. 
Stands forth his palace fair 
Like a dream castle in the moonlit air. 

Could he leave it on the morrow ? 
From whence should he courage borrow 
To leave his home and dear ones all, 
And lay down his honors at duty's call ? 

What was before him ? He faced that, too. 
The most dense cloud with the darkest hue 
I think the struggle was fierce and long 
Before he conquered and arose with a song, 

I think the drops stood on his brow. 
E'er he solved the mighty problem how 
To turn his back on pleasures dear, 
And sacrifice his treasures here. 

And for what? To suffer afHiction 
Following the path where fiction 
Beset him at every turn; 
Required courage divine, not to spurn. 

But looking straight into God's face — 
The eyes that met his gave him needed 

grace 
To tread the rough and thorny way, 
And in crucial hour became his stay. 

So methinks to every human soul 
Cometh a time when life's golden bowl 
We must lay upon God's altar. 
Even though we shrink and falter. 

For the golden bowl holds our precious 

things, 
And to lay it down white anguish brings, 



142 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

But as others conquered, so can we 
Rise to the heights of subHmity ! 

By looking at God we are transformed, 
And able to face the foe that stormed 
Our fortress in such a terrible way 
It seemed we never could win the day. 

Transformed by beholding Him we'll be! 
And able to cope with the enemy. 
Whatever the test or the sacrifice, 
We are equal to it if we look in His eyes ! 



Iblg :©d0btneg6 mas Bs tTbc Xlgbt 

One beautiful morn, just after sunrise 

I caught a wonderful view 
Of the eastern sky with its roseate glow 

With tints of marvelous hue ! 

And below it flowed an inland sea. 
As far as the eye could reach, 

With waters that murmured musically 
As they broke upon the beach. 

One vgst white sheet it seemed 
Reflecting the tints of the sky. 

All was serene and peaceful, 
As if trouble had all passed by. 

I was hushed to a perfect calm. 
Far it seemed I was caught away 

To the shore of eternal sunshine 
That I'd entered a cloudless day. 

Methought 'twas the ''sea of glass" 

Mingled with tints of fire. 
And every moment the colors grew 

Faster than was my desire. 

For I longed to stay the coming 
Of the day, with its tasks and cares. 

And linger in the beauty 

That entranced me unawares. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRA\ 143 

The light so ethereal and faint 
Made me think of the glory of Him 

Who fill'st all existence and space 

With such brightness all else groweth 
dim. 

So I've a beauteous picture 

To hang on Memory's wall, 
Of that rare morning scene 

Whose Hght did my spirit enthrall. 

For as I looked all about me 
Perceiving the pure white light, 

I felt 'twas His own Presence, 

Pervading and scattering the night. 



Hpple Bloeeome 

The sweetest, dearest flowers to me 

That springtime always brings. 
Are not the shy sweet violets. 

Or blue bells of which poets sing. 
Much as I love all flowers that grow, 

E'en the grass star and daisy wild, 
There's none quite as dear to my heart 

As the blossoms I loved when a child. 

I see a frolicsome little girl 

Dancing and skipping about 
Playing under the flowery tree. 
Clapping her hands for very glee, 

O'er the pink and white blossoms just 
out! 

The wonderful tree was like fairyland. 

Its fragrance bewitched every sense, 
And even the merry little one 

Grew still as she wondered whence 
Came such fragile, dehcate beauty ! 

Ah, heaven seemed very near 
As the petals dropped softly about her, 

She thought, "Why, heaven is here !" 



144 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRA\ 

So the sight of the pink and white blossoms 
Waken memories sweet as the flowers, 

Of my morning's flush and quickening, 
When the day held not half enough 
hours. 

And now the dear, dainty blossoms 

Breathe thoughts surpassing sweet, 
Of the time when I'll enter the Homeland 

And pass through its beautiful streets, 
I am sure I will find apple blossoms 

Among other flowers dear to my heart. 
And then I will know how they helped me 

Wooing me Homeward with their gentle 
art. 



Xife'e Zenttb 

To those whom God hath wed. 

That day at the church, dear heart, 
When you led me adown the aisle, 

As we walked through the beautiful 
church, 
And you thrilled me with your smile. 

Is indelibly imprinted 

Upon my memory's page, 
For it will shine as the whitest day, 

E'en down to my old age. 

When all alone in the carriage 
We were taken to the church, 

What a solemn hush was o'er us — 
As if God our spirits searched. 

To see if anything was there 

That He could not blend us quite, 

And I was praying, ''Make me pure 
As we stand in Thy holy light." 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 145 

"When it falls upon us, make us white 

As mortals here may be. 
Then our souls, surcharged with holy 
light. 

Will be married unto Thee.'' 

After the promises solemn were given, 
'Twas as if I was borne above — 

Out of the stained realm of earth 
To the heavenly courts of love. 

I could almost see the invisible throng 
Who "walk with Him in white," 

Pressing about us, glad in our joy, 
That God did our spirits unite. 

Afterward we entered 

Into our home of peace, 
And here the curtain falls. 

For the storms of life seemed to cease. 

But to us "the holiest of holies," 

Is the place in which we were wed, 
Where the Presence of Love o ershadow- 
ed, 

^^Thou art married in sour' the Voice 
said. 



a ^Tribute 



« S a life time friend of Rev. J. J. Fleharty, his wife 
*^* and daug-hter, it gives me pleasure to bring- them 
this heart garland. 

Of the father, we can say that he won and held the con- 
fidence and love of all who knew him. Especially he had 
a very strong hold upon the young people, who ever found 
in him a warm personal friend and to whom his students 
looked up with reverence and tenderest love. 

His life was strong, pure and so true there never was a 
false note sounded in his nature, and with all his strength 
of character, he was as sympathetic and fine in his feelings 
as a woman. 

From her infancy, his injunction to his daughter was, 
"Be a sweet rose through and through," and we believe as 
her father looks down upon his child, that he is not dis- 
appointed in her. 

His wife was ever a loyal helpmeet in all his work and 
her unselfish, patient devotion to her husband and child 
will cause her memory ever to be treasured by her daughter. 
As a minister's wife, she was a faithful and devoted work- 
er in the church, and never considered herself and frail 
strength if she could help others. In charge of the W. C. 
T. U. headquarters of Galesburg for five years, she put 
her best efforts into the work and left it against the wishes 
of her many warm friends. 

Quiet and unassuming in her nature, yet ever ready to 
serve others— we feel her life has been a blessing, more so 
than will be realized until the Books are opened. 

We find a clipping regarding an incident in Clara's child- 
hood, taken from the Northwestern Christian Advocate. 
It is written by her father, and will interest our readers 
because it gives them a glimpse of the spirituality which 



150 LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 

now and then g-leamed out in striking- contrast to her other- 
wise gay, fun loving- nature. 

"During- a recent time of severe family affliction 
our accustomed devotions were interrupted for a 
few days. 

At a time when the threatened storm fell heaviest 
and the little dead had just been put away in the 
new grave, I sat with little Clara, who during the 
twenty months of her little life experience had 
never seen such gloomy times. 

The rain was pattering on the roof fretfully, and 
the wind whistled plaintively, despairingly in the 
thick darkness as we sat gazing quietly into the 
firelight. At length her dark eyes opened full into 
my own, and this child, herself a babe, lisped out 
in tones half reproachfully, half entreatingly, — 
"Pray, papa, pray!" "What does my pet say?" I 
asked. "Pray, papa, pray," in a tone of entreaty, 
was her response. I said, "Yes, papa will, but 
Clara pray if Clara wants to," and down she went 
on her little face and murmured — who can tell what? 
Oh, those words, "Pray, papa, pray," in that dark 
hour were like "apples of gold in pictures of silver." 

She early displayed an intense interest in the great 
issues of the day, and though such a merry rogue that her 
father always called her "I^ittle Mischief" — often showed a 
thoughtfulness far beyond her years. 

At the mature age of six she signed the temperance 
pledge and shortly after started out as a temperance re- 
former. And after the little feet were placed in heavy 
braces and she could only walk a very little on crutches, 
she had her papa draft a pledge, which she carried from 
place to place with painful steps, and in her winsome way 
secured about fifty signers. From that day her zeal in 
every department of reform has never waned. 

And we who know her best often wonder what this gift- 
ed girl might have attained had not her plans been thwart- 
ed at every turn, for she was as full of music as a bird, had 
a decided taste for art, and books were ever her special 
delight. Writing however seemed her natural bent, pre- 
sumably inherited from her father and uncle, both writers 
of marked ability. 

One of the most prominent traits in her character is the 
purity of thought which has ever made it impossible for 
any utterance of vulgarism in her presence. 



LIFE'S BLUE AND GRAY 151 



Her many sided nature, combining^ the purity and trust 
of a child with the stronger traits of a woman, has won her 
a host of friends where ever she went. The depths in her 
nature, her intensity, refinement and sympathy that takes 
in the whole world, g^ive her a charm which never wears 
out. Her circle of friends has ever included old people, 
young men and women and little children, who have found 
in her a responsive friend in joys and struggles. When at 
the University she was lovingly called the "Depository of 
Secrets." Had she been of a shallow nature, she would 
have become vain, but she is unharmed by praise and her 
reply to it in "Praise me not, my sweet friend," is perfect- 
ly characteristic of her modesty. 

But what has drawn many so irresistibly to her during 
later years is the fortitude with which she has smiled in 
the face of troubles that would have embittered many a 
dauntless soul. 

We believe a wise One has been preparing her to speak 
to the tired world in these beautiful poems. She has been 
led a more wonderful way than the reader can know, and 
we trust the "Afterglow" of which she sweetly writes, may 
gild her life with its fairest tints. We love her and be- 
lieve in her final triumph. 

Go forth little book to help others come into the posess- 
ion of the same sweet peace that only Christ can give. 

Mrs. Dr. J. G. Evans. 
Kx-Preceptress of Hedding Coi.i,ege. 



H flower 

Prom the author's teacher at the University. 

To one whose sweet spirit and bright sunny face will 
ever be a pleasant vision before me, and for whom I wish 
highest success, and cherish the belief that the life ex- 
periences here given to the world will prove a sacred 
heritage to those of kindred thought and environment. 

Dewa T. MERCKI.EY. 

Editorial Department 
Christian Advocate 
New York. 



N 



NOV 26J900 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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015 908 364 




